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Simulation of biomass gasification in downdraft gasifier for different biomass fuels using ASPEN PLUS

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Abstract

Biomass utilization through gasification could be a viable alternative energy source for meeting energy demands in decentralized manner. Thermodynamic equilibrium and other models have been proposed to explain and understand the complex biomass gasification process, design, simulation, optimization, and process analysis of gasifiers. Present paper deals with a comprehensive process model developed for biomass gasification in an atmospheric fixed bed rector using the ASPEN PLUS. The experimental facility of the gasifier developed by the authors has a provision for proper cooling and filtration system to derive satisfactory performance with low emissions. Thus the model developed using ASPEN PLUS is validated with experimental data obtained with four different types of feed stocks viz; babul wood, neem wood, mango wood, and bagasse. The model has well-predicted composition of H2, CO, and CO2 whereas it has under predicted the CH4. The gasifier conversion efficiency was observed to be higher with babul wood when compared with other three types of wood due to its high carbon and H2 and less ash concentrations.

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Abbreviations

\(H_{g}\) :

Calorific value of gas (MJ/Nm3)

\(H_{w}\) :

Average calorific value of wood (MJ/kg)

\(H_{2Vol}\) :

Volume concentration of hydrogen (%)

\(CO_{Vol}\) :

Volume concentration of carbon monoxide (%)

\(CH_{4Vol}\) :

Volume concentration of methane (%)

\(CV_{{H_{2} }}\) :

Calorific value of hydrogen gas (MJ/Nm3)

\(CV_{co}\) :

Calorific of carbon monoxide gas (MJ/Nm3)

\(CV_{{CH_{4} }}\) :

Calorific value of methane gas (MJ/Nm3)

\(Q\) :

Gas flow (Nm3/kg)

C ZT :

Combustion zone temperature (°C)

R.P.M :

Revolution per minute

\(\eta\) :

Gasifier conversion efficiency (%)

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Acknowledgments

The authors are highly grateful to MIT, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India for providing financial support. Thanks are also due to Enviro Tech, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India for their cooperation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Warangal, 506 004, AP, India

    Ashok J. Keche & Amba Prasad Rao Gaddale

  2. Sandip Institute of Engineering and Management, Nasik, Maharashtra, India

    Rajendrakumar G. Tated

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  1. Ashok J. Keche
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  2. Amba Prasad Rao Gaddale
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Correspondence to Amba Prasad Rao Gaddale.

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Keche, A.J., Gaddale, A.P.R. & Tated, R.G. Simulation of biomass gasification in downdraft gasifier for different biomass fuels using ASPEN PLUS. Clean Techn Environ Policy 17, 465–473 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-014-0804-x

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