Numerical simulation of vortex pyrolysis reactors for condensable tar production from biomass
- California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena, CA (United States). Jet Propulsion Lab.
A numerical study is performed in order to evaluate the performance and optimal operating conditions of vortex pyrolysis reactors used for condensable tar production from biomass. A detailed mathematical model of porous biomass particle pyrolysis is coupled with a compressible Reynolds stress transport model for the turbulent reactor swirling flow. An initial evaluation of particle dimensionality effects is made through comparisons of single- (1D) and multi-dimensional particle simulations and reveals that the 1D particle model results in conservative estimates for total pyrolysis conversion times and tar collection. The observed deviations are due predominantly to geometry effects while directional effects from thermal conductivity and permeability variations are relatively small. Rapid ablative particle heating rates are attributed to a mechanical fragmentation of the biomass particles that is modeled using a critical porosity for matrix breakup. Optimal thermal conditions for tar production are observed for 900 K. Effects of biomass identity, particle size distribution, and reactor geometry and scale are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 305622
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-570-25315-Vol.2; CONF-980440-Vol.2; ON: DE98007508; TRN: IM9906%%302
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 12; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: US DOE hydrogen program technical review meeting, Alexandria, VA (United States), 28-30 Apr 1998; Other Information: PBD: Aug 1998; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the 1998 U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program Review: Volume 2; PB: 390 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Modeling the impact of bubbling bed hydrodynamics on tar yield and its fluctuations during biomass fast pyrolysis
Fast biomass pyrolysis with an entrained-flow reactor