Publication
Title
Computational fluid dynamics-assisted process intensification study for biomass fast pyrolysis in a gas-solid vortex reactor
Author
Abstract
The process intensification possibilities of a gas–solid vortex reactor have been studied for biomass fast pyrolysis using a combination of experiments (particle image velocimetry) and non-reactive and reactive three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics simulations. High centrifugal forces (greater than 30g) are obtainable, which allows for much higher slip velocities (>5 m s–1) and more intense heat and mass transfer between phases, which could result in higher selectivities of, for example, bio-oil production. Additionally, the dense yet fluid nature of the bed allows for a relatively small pressure drop across the bed (∼104 Pa). For the reactive simulations, bio-oil yields of up to 70 wt % are achieved, which is higher than reported in conventional fluidized beds across the literature. Convective heat transfer coefficients between gas and solid in the range of 600–700 W m–2 K–1 are observed, significantly higher than those obtained in competitive reactor technologies. This is partly explained by reducing undesirable gas–char contact times as a result of preferred segregation of unwanted char particles toward the exhaust. Experimentally, systematic char entrainment under simultaneous biomass–char operation suggested possible process intensification and a so-called “self-cleaning” tendency of vortex reactors.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Energy and fuels / American Chemical Society. - Washington, D.C.
Publication
Washington, D.C. : 2018
ISSN
0887-0624
DOI
10.1021/ACS.ENERGYFUELS.8B01008
Volume/pages
32 :10 (2018) , p. 10169-10183
ISI
000448087000014
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
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Publication type
Subject
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 18.09.2019
Last edited 24.08.2024
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