Biomass gasification under high solar heat flux: Advanced modelling

This article presents a new numerical model describing the behaviour of a thermally thick wood sample exposed to high solar heat flux (above 1 MW/m2). A preliminary study based on dimensionless numbers is used to classify the problem and support model building assumptions. Then, a model based on mass, momentum and energy balance equations is proposed. These equations are coupled with liquid-vapour drying model and pseudo species biomass degradation model. By comparing to a former experimental study, preliminary results have shown that these equations are not enough to accurately predict biomass behaviour under high solar heat flux. Indeed, a char layer acting as radiative shield forms on the sample exposed surface. In addition to this classical set of equations, it is mandatory to take into account radiation penetration into the medium. Furthermore, as biomass contains water, medium deformation consecutively to char steam gasification must also be implemented. Finally, with the addition of these two strategies, the model is able to properly capture the degradation of biomass when exposed to high radiative heat flux over a range of sample initial moisture content. Additional insights of biomass behaviour under high solar heat flux were also derived. Drying, pyrolysis and gasification fronts are present at the same time inside of the sample. The coexistence of these three thermochemical fronts leads to char gasification by the steam produced from drying of the sample, which it is the main phenomenon behind medium ablation.