NUMERICAL MODELING OF BIOMASS GASIFICATION USING COW DUNG AS FEEDSTOCK

ABSTRACT In this study, a biomass gasification model was developed and simulated based on Gibbs free energy minimization by using software Aspen Plus. Two reactors, RYIELD and RGIBBS, were moslty used. The biomass feedstock used was cow dung. The model was validated. The composition, H 2 /CO ratio and low heating value (LHV) of the resulting synthetic gas (also known as syngas) was estimated by changing the operating parameters of gasification temperatures, steam and biomass ratios and pressures. Simulation results showed that increased gasification temperature helped to elevate H 2 and CO content and H 2 peaked at 900 °C. When steam increased as the gasification agent, H 2 production increased. However, the steam/biomass (S/B) ratio negatively affected CO and CH 4 , resulting in lower LHV. The optimal S/B ratio was 1.5. An increase in pressure lead to a decrease in H 2 and CO content, so the optimal pressure for gasification was 0.1 MPa.