Abstract:
The solid biomass especially the wood has been used as a source of energy for centuries in the
world. However, the present world has started giving it a more value not because it is known
for a longer time. But as a renewable energy source it lessens the fossil fuel depletion and be
a part of climate change mitigation. Conversion of biomass to energy is done through several
methods such as bio-chemical conversion and thermo-chemical conversion. In the present
work, the drying and pyrolysis process of a thermally thick single wood particle has been
investigated. A novel approach has been introduced considering the two-phase gas and solid
inside the particle are not in thermal equilibrium. Mathematical relationship was built to
determine distinct temperatures at the boundaries of solid and gas. An unsteady threedimensional
(3D)
model
is
developed
and
simulated
in
Computational
Fluid
Dynamics
(CFD)
framework.
The Euler-Euler approach for modeling of single biomass particle has been
succeeded with the help of C++ CFD toolbox in OpenFOAM. The 3D model can simulate the
thermochemical conversion process of different particle types, particularly for different shapes
to examine the spatial variations during the process. The model was validated by comparing
the simulation results with data obtained by experiments conducted using a single particle
reactor. Further, the model was applied in torrefaction of single wood particle then expanded
to thermochemical conversion in packed bed.
Citation:
Wickramaarachchi, W.A.M.K.P. (2020). A Three dimensional computational fluid dynamics model for pyrolysis of thermally thick biomass particles [Master's theses, University of Moratuwa]. Institutional Repository University of Moratuwa. hhttp://dl.lib.uom.lk/handle/123/22535