Modelling and evaluating a solar pyrolysis system

M. Sánchez, B. Clifford and J.D. Nixon

Renewable Energy, 2018, vol. 116, issue PA, 630-638

Abstract: This study investigates the use of solar energy for producing biofuels through pyrolysis. A model is outlined to define the ideal parameters and evaluate the annual performance of a solar pyrolysis system. The model is demonstrated by considering a linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) system operating in Seville, Spain. The ideal operating temperature and total residence time were determined to be 571 K and 149 min, respectively. Subsequently, an LFR system was sized to have a total reactor length of 3.23 m, a polar inclination angle of 39° and an effective concentrating aperture area of 4.55 m2. The maximum char yield fraction was found to be 40.8 wt.%; however, the annual variability of the solar input resulted in the system producing 1375 kg of biochar from 13.9 t of biomass. The model developed in this study can be applied to evaluate a range of solar thermal technologies in other localities for producing char, gar and oils through the pyrolysis process.

Keywords: Linear Fresnel reflector (LFR); Bioenergy; Concentrating solar thermal power (CSP); Slow pyrolysis; Kinetics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:116:y:2018:i:pa:p:630-638

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.10.023

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