(73c) A Framework for the Development of Dynamic Multi-Zonal Gasification Reactor Models

Gasification of coal, coke and/or biomass offers a significant opportunity to cleanly produce energy, liquid fuels and/or chemicals. In order to understand how to best design gasification systems, accurate and computationally efficient models of the gasification reactor are required. Currently, most modeling approaches focus on either highly sophisticated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models or overly simplified equilibrium reactors. While the former approach offers high accuracy, it suffers from long computation times that limit its ability to be used within a flowsheet process simulator. The latter approach improves calculation speed at the expense of detail and accuracy. Many simulations employing the equilibrium model approach make use of restricted equilibrium or approach temperature to better match data from experiments or more detailed models; however, these approaches typically limit the model applicability to a single operating point. Multi-zonal models offer a balance between the computational expense of a detailed CFD model and the speed of a simple equilibrium model. This paper will describe a framework for developing dynamic multi-zonal gasification reactor models. This approach can be implemented using CFD results, experimental data or a combination of the two. The effectiveness of the approach will be demonstrated using the equipment and process model development and simulation environment, Aspen Custom Modeler®.