Recent Development in Numerical Simulations and Experimental Studies of Biomass Thermochemical Conversion

Hesameddin Fatehi,Zhongshan Li,Xue-Song Bai,Marcus Aldén,Wubin Weng

doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c04139

Abstract

Biomass, as a renewable energy source, is available worldwide, is carbon neutral, and can be converted to various types of products depending on the market and on the specific applications. Among different technologies of biomass utilization, thermochemical conversion of biomass is the most efficient method with the shortest time scale of the process. Thermochemical conversion can be used to produce gas or liquid fuels, and it can be used for direct production of heat and electricity. Biomass thermochemical conversion is an active and fast growing field of research. New experimental methods with high spatial and temporal resolution such as laser diagnostics are being introduced, and numerical modeling of the physical and chemical details in biomass conversion is being conducted. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the recent activities in the field of thermochemical conversion of biomass. Important parameters in the large scale conversion systems, such as temperature distribution, overall conversion rate of fuel, and distribution of different species, are strongly connected to the processes that occur on the scale of a single particle. Understanding the link between transport phenomena, chemical kinetics, and physical transformation on single particle scale can help to unravel issues such as emission and efficiency on the large scale. Hence, the focus of this review is on the single biomass particle, relevant to combustion and gasification systems. Special attention is paid to high fidelity numerical models and state-of-the-art experimental techniques that have been developed or employed over recent years to understand different aspects of biomass thermochemical conversion.

Highlights

Biomass is the closest alternative for the replacement of fossil fuels due to its fixed carbon content
There is an increasing need to convert from using fossil fuels in power plants for heat and electricity to using renewable energy sources from the agriculture sector, for example, straw and husk, which can be a substantial part of bioenergy generation while reducing emissions and promoting local economic development
The model presented in these works considered the microstructure of the particle with certain details, and the heat and mass transfer were modeled with high accuracy; the dynamic morphological change of the structure was not yet included

Summary

■ INTRODUCTION

Biomass is the closest alternative for the replacement of fossil fuels due to its fixed carbon content. Important parameters on a large-scale reactor level, such as distribution of temperature and species and overall conversion rate of biomass are strongly dependent on the processes involved at the particle scale. Ciesielski et al.[25] presented a 3D model of biomass particles where particle size, morphology, and microstructure were directly obtained from quantitative image analysis Such a model was further integrated to the reactor scale modeling of a fluidized bed to study fast pyrolysis of pine wood.[26] The model presented in these works considered the microstructure of the particle with certain details, and the heat and mass transfer were modeled with high accuracy; the dynamic morphological change of the structure was not yet included.

Review macropores

■ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Findings

■ REFERENCES