Abstract
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.
