Biomass Gasification: an Advanced Conceptual Model for Downdraft Reactor

There is an urgent need for research efforts aimed at developing technologies capable of efficiently gasifying sustainable biomasses composed of organic waste from various industrial processes. This work constitutes a crucial contribution to the field by addressing the pressing need for sustainable biofuels production. It introduces an innovative open-source mathematical model, implemented in Python, designed to simulate the complex process of gasifying advanced biomasses within a downdraft gasifier. Termed the “bi-equilibrium with tar cracking” model, it represents a significant advancement in the modelling of biomass gasification, offering a versatile and comprehensive tool for researchers and engineers in the field. The model’s multi-zone framework is particularly noteworthy, as it meticulously divides the downdraft gasifier into four distinct zones: the drying zone, where moisture content is reduced; the pyrolysis zone, where biomass undergoes thermal decomposition; the separation zone, where tar and other pyrolysis products are destined to different treatments; and the gasification zone, where syngas is produced. This granular approach enables a detailed analysis of each stage, facilitating a deeper understanding of the intricate gasification process. Furthermore, the model’s multi-scale nature incorporates parameters within the separation section, allowing for the simulation of molecular-level phenomena, such as the formation of preferential pathways. These pathways play a pivotal role in determining the composition of the resulting syngas, making the model exceptionally valuable for predicting and optimizing syngas quality.