Development of Kinetics Models in Each Zone of a 10 kg/hr Downdraft Gasifier using Computational Fluid Dynamics

In order to optimize the operating conditions of a downdraft gasification process, mathematical models are commonly used to reduce the expenditure occurring during the experimental work. This study aims to develop a kinetics model to demonstrate the gasification process in each zone of a 10 kg/hr downdraft gasifier, including drying, pyrolysis, oxidation, and reduction zone. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to solve the partial differential equations. The Euler-Lagrange approach for dispersed two-phase flows has been applied for simulating the gas-solid transport phenomena inside the gasifier. The results of this study include the effect of air flow rate on the temperature profile along the height of the gasifier and the concentration of producer gas at the gasifier outlet. Model validation has been made with experiments using wood chips as feedstock.