The Gasification and Pyrolysis of Biomass Using a Plasma System

Vladimir E. Messerle, Alexandr B. Ustimenko, Oleg A. Lavrichshev and Marina K. Nugman ()
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Vladimir E. Messerle: The Institute of Combustion Problems of the Ministry of Science and High Education of Kazakhstan, Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan
Alexandr B. Ustimenko: The Institute of Combustion Problems of the Ministry of Science and High Education of Kazakhstan, Almaty 050012, Kazakhstan
Oleg A. Lavrichshev: Combustion Problems Institute, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
Marina K. Nugman: Combustion Problems Institute, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: This research paper analyzes the use of plasma technology to process biomass in the form of dried, mixed animal manure (dung containing 30% moisture). The irrational use of manure as well as huge quantities of it can negatively impact the environment. In comparison to biomass fermentation, the plasma processing of manure can greatly enhance the production of fuel gas, primarily synthesis gas (CO + H 2 ). The organic part of dung, including the moisture, is represented by carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen with a total concentration of 95.21%, while the mineral part is only 4.79%. A numerical analysis of dung plasma gasification and pyrolysis was conducted using the thermodynamic code TERRA. For 300–3000 K and 0.1 MPa pressure, the dung gasification and pyrolysis were calculated with 100% dung + 25% air and 100% dung + 25% nitrogen, respectively. Calculations were performed to determine the specific energy consumption of the process, the composition of the products of gasification, and the extent of the carbon gasification. At 1500 K, the dung gasification and pyrolysis consumed 1.28 and 1.33 kWh/kg of specific energy, respectively. A direct-current plasma torch with a power rating of 70 kW and a plasma reactor with a dung processing capacity of 50 kg/h were used for the dung processing experiments. The plasma reactor consumed 1.5 and 1.4 kWh/kg when pyrolyzing and gasifying the dung. A maximum temperature of 1887 K was reached in the reactor. The plasma pyrolysis of dung and the plasma–air gasification of dung produced gases with specific heats of combustion of 10,500 and 10,340 kJ/kg, respectively. Calculations and experiments on dung plasma processing showed satisfactory agreement. In this research, exergy analysis was used to quantify the efficiency of the plasma gasification of biomass. One of the research tasks was to develop a methodology and establish standards for the further standardization of monitoring the toxic emissions of dioxins, furans, and Benzo[a]pyrene.

Keywords: biomass; plasma reactor; processing; synthesis gas; thermodynamics; experiment; exergy; optimization (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: 2024
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