Influence of process parameters on the exergy analysis of biomass fluidized bed gasification

Abstract

Biomass gasification technology, as an efficient renewable energy solution, has garnered widespread attention. This study uses experimental data and exergy analysis to comprehensively investigate the impact of key process parameters such as temperature, Equivalence Ratio (ER), Steam to Carbon ratio (S/C), bed pressure, agents, catalysts, and raw material characteristics on the efficiency of biomass fluidized bed gasification. The findings suggest that higher temperatures significantly enhance the exergy and production rates of gas by improving thermodynamic and kinetic conditions. An optimal ER is identified, which balances heat release and minimizes syngas dilution, with benefits diminishing beyond this optimal range. Variations in the S/C ratio initially increase but subsequently reduce both the gas production rate and exergy efficiency. The introduction of pure oxygen notably enhances the system's efficiency. Additionally, the results indicate that optimal bed pressure is essential for fostering effective gas-solid interactions, and even a small amount of catalyst can substantially improve exergy efficiency. Additionally, increasing elemental analysis carbon rather than fixed carbon has been proven to be more beneficial for gasification, while controlling moisture content and particle size is also important for optimizing gasification performance. This study provides a pathway for the development of more efficient and effective biomass gasification systems by focusing on optimizing these critical parameters.