(634a) Application of a Kinetics Model to Simulate Biomass Gasification Using Oxygen and Steam

Application
of a Kinetics Model to Simulate Biomass Gasification Using Oxygen and Steam

Sudhanya
Banerjee¹, Jordan Tiarks¹, Song-Charng Kong¹, Terry Meyer¹ ,
Robert C. Brown¹ and Brian Anderson²

¹Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA

²Chemical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Abstract: The use of biomass as an energy source has been
studied extensively in recent years and special attention is paid to biomass
gasification. Chemical kinetics in the gasifier plays a pivotal role in determining
the product gas composition. In this study, a model based on ASPEN Plus is set
up to simulate the biomass gasification process, and a set of kinetics reactions
is chosen to predict the syngas composition. Simulations are carried out for conditions
of 21%, 30%, 40% and 50% oxygen levels in the gasifying agent on wet basis.
Different types of biomass feedstock are used for the study, including various
woody biomass and corn stover. Due to the differences in feedstock composition
and operating conditions, the syngas composition varies and the model is able
to predict these variations. The simulations results agree well with experimental
data which show increases in hydrogen and carbon monoxide as the oxygen level
increases in the gasifying agent.