Modeling and simulation of biomass fast pyrolysis in a fluidized bed reactor

• Biomass fast pyrolysis process in a bubbling fluidized-bed was modeled.
• Population balances for the density/temperature distribution were proposed.
• Product yield, particles heating rate, and gases residence time were evaluated.
• Simulation results were validated with experimental data of bagasse pyrolysis.

This paper presents a phenomenologically based mathematical model for biomass fast pyrolysis process in a bubbling fluidized-bed. The model was developed in transient state, is one-dimensional and is based on the two-phase theory. A semi-global reaction mechanism in two stages was used, considering the primary formation of products and the secondary reactions of the vapors. Also, population balances for the density/temperature distribution of the particles and distribution of the bubble size were proposed. The model can predict the temperature of the phases, the distribution and yields of the products, the heating rate of particles, and the residence time of gases. Finally, a solution algorithm for the model was proposed, which was programmed in MATLAB 7.0, being able to find a good fit between simulation results and the experimental data.