Comparison of Equilibrium-Stage and Rate-Based Models of a Packed Column for Tar Absorption Using Vegetable Oil

Adel Almoslh,Falah Alobaid,Christian Heinze,Bernd Epple

doi:10.3390/app10072362

Abstract

In this study two mathematical models, rate-based and equilibrium-stage models in Aspen Plus process simulator, were used to simulate the tar absorption processes using soybean oil as a solvent in a research lab-scale experiment. The matching between simulation results and experimental data shows a good agreement. The simulation results predicted by the rate-based model show a higher level of agreement than the equilibrium model compared with the experimental data. Analysis study of tar absorption process was carried out which revealed the effect of temperature and flow rate on the soybean oil, and height-packed bed on tar removal efficiency. The methodology of selecting the optimum (most economical) operation conditions has also been performed in this study.

Highlights

Gasification technology makes the biomass a vital source of energy
One of the definitions of the tar was described by Milne et al [3] as follows: It is the organics components that are created under thermal or partial-oxidation process and are supposed to be mostly aromatic
To the best of our knowledge, few studies have been published regarding the modelling of tar absorption with vegetable oil in a packed column. Most of these studies have concentrated on modelling absorption process for CO2 capture, while the modelling of the tar absorption process is rarely presented

Summary

Introduction

Gasification technology makes the biomass a vital source of energy. It converts the biomass into raw syngas that is a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, tar, and other gases which are considered contaminants such as hydrogen chloride, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide. All the definitions seek to present a view about the nature of the tar. These definitions are influenced by the gas quality specifications required for a particular end-use application and how the tar is assembled and analyzed [2]. One of the definitions of the tar was described by Milne et al [3] as follows: It is the organics components that are created under thermal or partial-oxidation process (gasification) and are supposed to be mostly aromatic

Objectives

Results

Conclusion