Volume 64

Modelling Biomass Co-gasification in Downdraft Reactors for Sustainable Heat and Power Production Giovanni Biancini, Hao Chen, Lara Carvalho, Erik Dahlquist, Yahya Jani, Hailong Li, Eva Thorin

Abstract

The development of small-scale modular gasification systems represents one of the several pathways needed to follow to reach a net-zero emission society. Currently, the research is fostering the technology readiness level of those units to achieve clean and sustainable energy production from biomass waste while decreasing the load to the centralized waste treatment facilities. The operability of those conversion systems can be improved with the co-gasification of low-grade residues, like sewage sludge, organic municipal solid waste, nut shells, in wood matrixes.
Downdraft co-gasification is a promising technology that offers competitive conversion efficiencies, reliability, and capillary diffusion especially in the context of renewable energy communities. Still, there are research gaps that must be addressed especially for improving the design and process control.
This work presents a modelling approach that allow for deeper understanding of the treatment and propose improvements for SUPREMAS project. A lumped, steady-state model is developed in Aspen Plus using chemical pseudo-equilibrium and empirical correlations, to replicate the real process. Then, the cleaned syngas is converted to energy with a combined heat and power / solid oxide fuel cell units.

Keywords Modelling, Co-gasification, Downdraft Reactor, Biomass Residues, CHP