A kinetic reaction model for biomass pyrolysis processes in Aspen Plus

Abstract

This paper presents a novel kinetic reaction model for biomass pyrolysis processes. The model is based on the three main building blocks of lignocellulosic biomass, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin and can be readily implemented in Aspen Plus and easily adapted to other process simulation software packages. It uses a set of 149 individual reactions that represent the volatilization, decomposition and recomposition processes of biomass pyrolysis. A linear regression algorithm accounts for the secondary pyrolysis reactions, thus allowing the calculation of slow and intermediate pyrolysis reactions. The bio-oil is modelled with a high level of detail, using up to 33 model compounds, which allows for a comprehensive estimation of the properties of the bio-oil and the prediction of further upgrading reactions. After showing good agreement with existing literature data, our own pyrolysis experiments are reported for validating the reaction model. A beech wood feedstock is subjected to pyrolysis under well-defined conditions at different temperatures and the product yields and compositions are determined. Reproducing the experimental pyrolysis runs with the simulation model, a high coincidence is found for the obtained fraction yields (bio-oil, char and gas), for the water content and for the elemental composition of the pyrolysis products. The kinetic reaction model is found to be suited for predicting pyrolysis yields and product composition for any lignocellulosic biomass feedstock under typical pyrolysis conditions without the need for experimental data.

Publication DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.12.030
Divisions: College of Engineering & Physical Sciences
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > School of Infrastructure and Sustainable Engineering > Chemical Engineering & Applied Chemistry
College of Engineering & Physical Sciences > Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI)
Additional Information: © 2016, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ Supplementary data available on the journal website.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Aspen Plus,bio-oil,lignocellulosic biomass,process simulation,pyrolysis,reaction kinetics,Civil and Structural Engineering,Energy(all)
Publication ISSN: 1872-9118
Last Modified: 26 Mar 2024 08:11
Date Deposited: 20 Jan 2017 08:05
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Related URLs: http://www.scop ... tnerID=8YFLogxK (Scopus URL)
PURE Output Type: Article
Published Date: 2017-02-15
Published Online Date: 2016-12-22
Accepted Date: 2016-12-08
Submitted Date: 2016-10-10
Authors: Peters, Jens F.
Banks, Scott W. (ORCID Profile 0000-0002-4291-2572)
Bridgwater, Anthony V. (ORCID Profile 0000-0001-7362-6205)
Dufour, Javier

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