Influence of feeding ratio on steam gasification of palm shells in a rotary kiln pilot plant. Experimental and numerical investigations

• Published in: Biomass & bioenergy Vol. 56; pp. 423 - 431
• Main Authors: Iovane, P., Donatelli, A., Molino, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bioenergy; Biomass; carbon dioxide; Energy; energy content; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel processing. Carbochemistry and petrochemistry; Fuels; gasification; heat; hydrogen; mathematical models; methane; nitrogen; Palm shells; Rotary kiln; Solid fuel processing (coal, coke, brown coal, peat, wood, etc.); steam; Steam gasification; Syngas; temperature; Palm shells; Bioenergy; Biomass; Rotary kiln; Steam gasification; Syngas; Pilot plant; Monocotyledones; Thermogravimetry; Theoretical study; Experimental study; Water vapor; Synthesis gas; Feeding; Angiospermae; Numerical simulation; Spermatophyta; Gasification; Palmae; Thermal analysis; Husk (fruit); Elaeis guineensis
• ISSN: 0961-9534; 1873-2909
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.05.025

This paper presents experimental and numerical results on steam gasification of palm shells in a rotary kiln pilot plant. Both the process performance and gas features have been evaluated varying the steam-biomass ratio (SBR), defined as the mass of steam divided by the mass of palm shells. First, some experimental tests have been performed. Then, the obtained experimental results have been used to verify the consistency of a numerical model developed with the aid of the commercial code ChemCAD®. Numerical results showed that the gas energy content decreases as the SBR increases as well, achieving a maximum value for SBR = 0.6 that produced a gas which volumetric composition N2 free is H2 = 40.4%, CO = 24.1%, CO2 = 21.7%, CH4 = 12.2%, C2H4 = 1.7% and in correspondence of which the lower heating value (LHV) is equal to 12 MJ m−3 in normal conditions. SBR values higher than 0.6 do not produce a further increase of the gas yield, rather require a greater amount of input energy for heating the steam from the room temperature to the process temperature. •We developed steam gasification in a rotary kiln pilot plant of palm shells.•Process performance and the gas features have been evaluated varying SBR.•Hydrogen content in syngas reaches its maximum values of 52% in volume fraction.•Experimental results have been compared to an equilibrium simulation model.•We evaluated the optimum condition in terms of the bioenergy and biofuel.