Scale-resolved prediction of pyrolysis in a packed bed using the extended discrete element method

B. Peters, X. Besseron, A. Estupinan, F. Hoffmann, M. Michael, A. Mahmoudi, M. Mohseni

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The demand for a net reduction of carbon dioxide and for restrictions on energy efficiency make thermal conversion of biomass a very attractive alternative for energy production. Although largely based on experimental investigations, numerical methods have advanced significantly to predict pyrolysis of packed beds, and thus, compensate for a mayor disadvantage of generally non-accessible measurements within packed beds. A detailed resolution of packed bed processes is provided by the innovative numerical approach of the extended discrete element method. Within this approach the solid phase consists of individual particles for which both the dynamic state i.e. position and orientation of each particle in space and time and its thermodynamic state e.g. internal temperature and species distribution is determined. The flow of gas in the void space between the particles is predicted by traditional and well-proven computational fluid dynamics taking into account heat and mass transfer between the particles and the surrounding gas phase. This numerical concept was applied to predict pyrolysis of a packed bed of wood particles in a cylindrical reactor. The predicted results of pyrolysis for both individual particles and integral bed processes agreed well with the experimental data. Thus, an analysis of detailed results helps to uncover the underlying physics of the process, and thus, allows for an improved design and operation conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the ninth International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology
EditorsP Ivanyi, B.H.V. Topping
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2014
Externally publishedYes
Event9th International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology 2014 - Naples, Italy
Duration: 2 Sept 20145 Sept 2014
Conference number: 9

Publication series

NameCivil-Comp Proceedings
PublisherCivil-Comp Press
Volume105
ISSN (Print)1759-3433

Conference

Conference9th International Conference on Engineering Computational Technology 2014
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityNaples
Period2/09/145/09/14

Keywords

  • Extended discrete element method
  • Multi-physics
  • Numerical modelling

Cite this