Fuel Particle Conversion of Pulverized Biomass during Pyrolysis in an Entrained Flow Reactor

Abstract

This study addresses the change of char morphology and fuel conversion during pyrolysis in a laminar entrained flow reactor by experiments and particle simulation. Three experimental parameters were examined: reaction temperature (1073 and 1273 K); particle size (125–250, 250–500, and 500–1000 μm); and the length of reaction zone (650 and 1885 mm). The scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images showed that biomass swelled during heating and shrank during initial stage of pyrolysis. Then, char morphology transformed to cenospheres after the plastic stage. The yields of solid residue from the experiments were reasonably predicted by particle simulation. To give a guideline for the design of laminar entrained flow pyrolysis reactors, the required reactor length for complete conversion of biomass was also calculated for the pyrolysis. High reaction temperature, small particles, and slower gas flow were favorable for high fuel conversion.