Modeling and Experimental evaluation of syngas production from residual biomass

As global demand for energy grows and environmental concerns increase, renewable energy sources become crucial. Biomass, especially for producing biofuels such as synthesis gas via thermal gasification, has great potential. This thesis investigates the production of synthesis gas from agricultural r...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Oriol Ybern, Berta
Tipo de recurso: tesis de maestría
Fecha de publicación:2024
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/416708
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/416708
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Biomass gasification
syngas, gasification, agricultural waste, heating value, experiment, modeling
Biomassa--Gasificació
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Energies::Energia de la biomassa
Descripción
Sumario:As global demand for energy grows and environmental concerns increase, renewable energy sources become crucial. Biomass, especially for producing biofuels such as synthesis gas via thermal gasification, has great potential. This thesis investigates the production of synthesis gas from agricultural residues, such as olive pomace, miscanthus and coffee husks, using experimental and modeling methods. Characterizations of the biomasses were carried out through proximate and ultimate analyses and thermogravimetric studies, and were in agreement with the literature, except for the volatile matter content of olive pomace. Synthesis gas production experiments were conducted with downdraft fixed bed and bubbling fluidized bed reactors in a pilot plant, operating at temperatures between 700-850°C with air as the gasification agent, showing varied results. Olive pomace showed promise for biofuels. Model simulations with ASPEN Plus® sought to reproduce the experimental results, but small variations occurred due to assumptions. Miscanthus stood out as the best feedstock in the model, differing from the experimental results due to errors in the proximal data used in ASPEN. Higher temperatures favored the production of H2 and CO2 to the detriment of CH4 and CO, contrary to expectations in the literature, possibly due to secondary reactions not taken into account. Optimal equivalence ratios between 0.2-0.25 were identified, with higher ratios reducing CO, H2 and CH4, and increasing CO2. Fixed bed gasifiers produced more H2 (13-15%), while fluidized bed gasifiers generated higher levels of CH4.