Determination of Zero Dimensional, Apparent Devolatilization Kinetics for Biomass Particles at Suspension Firing Conditions

Anna Espekvist, Tian Li, Peter Glarborg, Terese Løvås and Peter Arendt Jensen
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Anna Espekvist: Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, DTU—Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 229, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Tian Li: Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU—Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Kolbjørn Heies Vei 1b, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Peter Glarborg: Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, DTU—Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 229, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Terese Løvås: Department of Energy and Process Engineering, NTNU—Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Kolbjørn Heies Vei 1b, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Peter Arendt Jensen: Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, DTU—Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads 229, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: As part of the strive for a carbon neutral energy production, biomass combustion has been widely implemented in retrofitted coal burners. Modeling aids substantially in prediction of biomass flame behavior and thus in boiler chamber conditions. In this work, a simple model for devolatilization of biomass at conditions relevant for suspension firing is presented. It employs Arrhenius parameters in a single first order (SFOR) devolatilization reaction, where the effects of kinetics and heat transfer limitations are lumped together. In this way, a biomass particle can be modeled as a zero dimensional, isothermal particle, facilitating computational fluid dynamic calculations of boiler chambers. The zero dimensional model includes the effects of particle aspect ratio, particle density, maximum gas temperature, and particle radius. It is developed using the multivariate data analysis method, partial least squares regression, and is validated against a more rigorous semi-2D devolatilization model. The model has the capability to predict devolatilization time for conditions in the parameter ranges; radius (39–1569 μ μ m), density (700–1300 kg/m 3 ), gas temperature (1300–1900 K), aspect ratio (1.01–8). Results show that the particle radius and gas phase temperature have a large influence on the devolatilization rate, and the aspect ratio has a comparatively smaller effect, which, however, cannot be neglected. The impact of aspect ratio levels off as it increases. The model is suitable for use as stand alone or as a submodel for biomass particle devolatilization in CFD models.

Keywords: biomass devolatilization; partial least squares regression (PLS); suspension firing; devolatilization model; biomass pyrolysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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