Modeling biomass char gasification kinetics for improving prediction of carbon conversion in a fluidized bed gasifier

•A novel conversion rate equation for biomass char gasification based on TGA data.•TGA experiments conducted to simulate conditions in a fluidized bed gasifier.•A fluidized bed gasifier model using the newly developed conversion rate expression.•Comparison of reactor modeling results against pilot plant measurements.

Gasification of biomass in a fluidized bed (FB) was modeled based on kinetic data obtained from previously conducted thermogravimetric analysis. The thermogravimetric analysis experiments were designed to closely resemble conditions in a real FB gasifier by using high sample heating rates, in situ devolatilization and gas atmospheres of H2O/H2 and CO2/CO mixtures. Several char kinetic models were evaluated based on their ability to predict char conversion based on the thermogravimetric data. A modified version of the random pore model was shown to provide good fitting of the char reactivity and suitability for use in a reactor model. An updated FB reactor model which incorporates the newly developed char kinetic expression and a submodel for the estimation of char residence time is presented and results from simulations were compared against pilot scale gasification data of pine sawdust. The reactor model showed good ability for predicting char conversion and product gas composition.