Fluid-Dynamics of a Cold Model of a Fluidized Bed Gasification System with Reduced Tar Content

Abstract

A new gasification concept for biomass/waste gasification for electricity production for small/medium application has been developed. The gasification system is aimed at improving the two major drawbacks in fluidized beds (FB), i.e. the low char conversion and the high tar content in the gas. The system comprises a FB devolatilizer, an air/steam reformer of the gas coming from the devolatilizer, and a chemical quench of the unconverted char removed from the FB. The thermal control of the various zones of the system, a key use for design, depends on the movement of the gas through the system and the fuel conversion behavior. This works presents the fluid-dynamics study of the concept, dealing with the design and operation of a cold model. Based on the results a pilot plant has been designed.