Analysis of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer inside a Batch Reactor for Hydrothermal Carbonization Process of a Biomass

Hamza Chater, Mohamed Asbik, Abdelghani Koukouch, Ammar Mouaky, Stéphane Bostyn, Brahim Sarh and Fouzi Tabet
Additional contact information
Hamza Chater: ERTE, ENSAM, Mohammed V University in Rabat, B.P. 6207, Avenue des FAR, Rabat 10100, Morocco
Mohamed Asbik: ERTE, ENSAM, Mohammed V University in Rabat, B.P. 6207, Avenue des FAR, Rabat 10100, Morocco
Abdelghani Koukouch: Green Energy Park (IRESEN, UM6P), km 2, Route Régionale R206, Benguerir 43150, Morocco
Ammar Mouaky: Green Energy Park (IRESEN, UM6P), km 2, Route Régionale R206, Benguerir 43150, Morocco
Stéphane Bostyn: ICARE, CNRS–1C Avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orléans, France
Brahim Sarh: ICARE, CNRS–1C Avenue de la Recherche Scientifique, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orléans, France
Fouzi Tabet: Opti’Tech, Schletterstrasse 12, 04107 Leipzig, Germany

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: This work analyzes the heat transfer and fluid flow within a batch reactor for hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of raw olive pomace (ROP). The autoclave is partially filled with a mixture of ROP and distilled water and hence it is considered as a dispersed medium. The reactor is heated through its lateral surface, whereas the bottom wall and the upper surface of the mixture are thermally insulated. Under the effect of heat and pressure, the fluid moves inside the reactor, while particles are subject to other forces. Additionally, the biomass (ROP) is decomposed into very fine particles to produce a solid product (hydrochar). COMSOL Multiphysics software is used for the analysis of heat transfer and fluid dynamics. Chemical kinetics of the reactions are modeled by a basic kinetics model. Numerical results are validated using experimental data carried out in similar operating conditions. They are in good agreement since the deviation between them does not exceed 6%. Isotherms, velocity fields, and isobars are evaluated within the reactor as well as velocity and distribution of particles. These amounts are influenced by the imposed heat flux at the lateral wall ( q 0 ). Also, it has been shown that the temperature and pressure values reached are above those required by the HTC process and, consequently, a HTC reactor could be designed with optimal operating conditions.

Keywords: hydrothermal carbonization; batch reactor; CFD modeling; dispersed medium; olive pomace; hydrochar (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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