Analytical modelling fast pyrolysis of biomass particles in fluidized bed reactor

Abstract

Determining suitable biomass particle size and pyrolysis time plays a crucial role in designing and improvement the performance of biomass fast pyrolysis in fluidized bed reactors for bio-oils production. Current numerical modelling investigations has not dealt with the particle sizes and fast pyrolysis time. In this paper, analytical methods were applied to investigate unsteady temperature fields and the relationship between residence time and particle sizes for fast pyrolysis of bagasse and wood in the fluidized bed reactor. Mathematical model based on well-known heat conduction equations was developed in the MATLAB to simulate unsteady temperature fields and investigate the impacts of particles sizes on the residence time. The results shown that active pyrolysis begins occurring between 230 °C to 300 °C depending on the reactor temperature. Particle sizes and types of biomass have significant impact of the residence time of fast pyrolysis. According to the study, the maximum radius of bagasse and wood particles for fast pyrolysis is 2.25 mm and 1 mm respectively at 500 °C of reactor temperature.