A comparison of gasification phenomena among raw biomass, torrefied biomass and coal in an entrained-flow reactor

Wei Hsin Chen, Chih Jung Chen, Chen I. Hung, Cheng Hsien Shen, Heng Wen Hsu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

184 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Gasification of torrefied biomass is a promising technique for producing synthesis gas (syngas) of higher quality than has previously been available. In this study, in order to evaluate the potential of the technique, gasification processes for three different materials, which include raw bamboo, torrefied bamboo (at 280°C for 1h), and high-volatile bituminous coal in an entrained-flow gasifier using O2 as the gasification agent, are studied numerically and compared to each other. The obtained results suggest that in all cases, the carbon conversions of the three fuels are higher than 90%. However, the cold gasification efficiency for raw bamboo is low, mainly due to the relatively lower calorific value of the material. In the case of the torrefied bamboo fuel, the gasification performance is enhanced significantly and is quite similar to the coal gasification under the same conditions. It appears that the optimum oxygen-to-fuel mass flow ratios for the gasification of raw bamboo, torrefied bamboo, and coal are 0.9, 0.7, and 0.7, and their equivalence ratios are 0.692, 0.434, and 0.357, respectively. Under optimum conditions with respect to the equivalence ratio, the cold gas efficiency of torrefied bamboo is improved by 88%, as compared to raw bamboo.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)421-430
Number of pages10
JournalApplied Energy
Volume112
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Dec

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Building and Construction
  • General Energy
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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