A two-zone solar-driven gasifier concept: Reactor design and experimental evaluation with bagasse particles

A series of 20 min gasification experiments comparing the two-zone reactor vs. a drop-tube reactor were performed in a high-flux solar simulator with a maximum particle flux of 16 g/s m2. It has been demonstrated that the former allows for more efficient decomposition of CH4 and C2 hydrocarbons at comparable reactor temperatures. The LHV of the product gas leaving the two-zone gasifier was significantly higher than those typically obtained in conventional autothermal gasifiers. Solar energy was chemically stored in the product gas, resulting in energetic upgrade of the biomass by 5% and a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 21%.