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Carbon conversion predictor for fluidized bed gasification of biomass fuels—from TGA measurements to char gasification particle model

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Abstract

When a solid fuel particle is injected into a hot fluidized bed, the reactivity of fuel char in gasification reactions (between char carbon and steam and CO2) plays a significant role for reaching a good carbon conversion. In this paper, the gasification reactivity data of some solid waste recovered fuels (SRF) obtained from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiments is presented. Gas mixtures (H2O, H2, CO2, CO), were used in the experiments to find the inhibitive effects of CO and H2. Average char gasification reactivity values are determined from the TGA results. Kinetic parameters for char carbon gasification reactivity correlations are determined from this data. The Uniform Conversion model is used to account for the change of gasification reaction rate as function of carbon conversion. Some discrepancies, due to complicated ash–carbon interactions, are subjects of further research. In the carbon conversion predictor, laboratory measured reactivity numbers are converted into carbon conversion numbers in a real-scale fluidized bed gasifier. The predictor is a relatively simple and transparent tool for the comparison of the gasification reactivity of different fuels in fluidized bed gasification. The residence times for solid fuels in fluidized bed gasifiers are simulated. Simulations against some pilot-scale results show reasonable agreement.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support of TEKES—The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (research project PERUSKAASU), Carbona Oy, Condens Oy, Fortum Oil and Gas Oy, Foster Wheeler Energia Oy, Pohjolan Voima Oy, Vapo Oy is gratefully acknowledged. The ongoing project GASIFREAC is financed by the Academy of Finland, which support is also gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Renewable Energy Programme, University of Jyväskylä, POB 35, FI-40014, Jyväskylä, Finland

    J. T. Konttinen

  2. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, POB 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Espoo, Finland

    A. Moilanen

  3. Process Chemistry Centre, Combustion and Materials Chemistry, Abo Akademi University, Piispankatu 8, FI-20500, Turku, Finland

    N. DeMartini & M. Hupa

Authors
  1. J. T. Konttinen
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  2. A. Moilanen
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  3. N. DeMartini
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  4. M. Hupa
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Correspondence to J. T. Konttinen.

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Konttinen, J.T., Moilanen, A., DeMartini, N. et al. Carbon conversion predictor for fluidized bed gasification of biomass fuels—from TGA measurements to char gasification particle model. Biomass Conv. Bioref. 2, 265–274 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-012-0038-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-012-0038-2

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