Investigation of the Use of Waste Biomass Fuels in the Production of Syngas in a Downdraft Reactor: A CFD Analysis


Danışmaz M., DEMİRTAŞ C.

Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 2024 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s13369-024-09654-7
  • Journal Name: Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Communication Abstracts, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, zbMATH, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Biomass, CFD, Downdraft, Gasification, Syngas
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study investigates biomass gasification in a novel downdraft gasifier, specifically analysing the gasification performance of pinecones, hazelnut shells, and pine wood as a feedstock fuel. With a useful computational fluid dynamics model, the production of synthesis gas (syngas) was evaluated in terms of content and compared to experimental data. A novel approach utilizing a cost-effective combustion model incorporating the probability density function was employed to predict the concentrations of CO, CH4, and H2 in the syngas content. With the developed reactor, the inlet of air from four different points into the oxidation zone facilitated the attainment of temperatures exceeding 750 °C along the reactor, with a maximum temperature reaching 974 °C, which is essential for syngas formation. The analyses indicated that the syngas generated predominantly consists of CO (38.7%), CH4 (2.5%), and H2 (35.1%). The study identifies an optimal conditioning parameter value of 0.20 for enhancing the efficiency of the gasification process. Key findings include the demonstration of consistent output production across various biomass types, highlighting the influence of reactor temperatures on syngas production suitable for combustion. Furthermore, this research underscores the importance of conducting numerical analyses on underutilized biomass sources before commencing experimental processes, emphasizing the need for standardized gasifiers tailored for specific production and utilization needs. Overall, this study contributes to the advancement of alternative energy production methods, shedding light on the significance of exploring diverse biomass sources for sustainable energy generation.