Numerical simulation of a 200 kW downdraft gasifier using açaí seed (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) as fuel

Abstract

In this work a thermochemical equilibrium model for downdraft gasifiers has been proposed. The model is similar and was compared to the model developed by Melgar et al. (2007). The properties such as efficiency of cold gas, LHV and temperature of an Amazonian biomass Euterpe olearacea Mart. was simulated. The numerical simulations aimed the maximization of H2 and CH4 in a gasification process. The model simulated numerically the influence of the gasifying relative fuel/air ratio and the biomass moisture content on the syngas composition. Two values of moisture content 33% and 37.5% were suggested for the gasification of açaí seed for the maximization of the H2 and CH4 concentrations in a range of the relative fuel/air ratio, Frg , between 2.5 and 6. The results also showed that to achieve the maximization of CH4 with Frg = 6 the reaction temperature drops up to 34%.