Modeling of a pyrolysis batch reactor using COMSOL Multiphysics

Abstract

Plastic Pyrolysis is a thermal degradation process; it offers an important alternative energy. The aim of this study is to model a batch reactor to be used for plastic pyrolysis. Consequently, four experiments with different heating and cooling cycles are done using an empty pyrolysis batch reactor and four temperatures are measured at different locations on the reactor. On the other hand, the empty reactor is modeled and several simulations are done, using COMSOL Multiphysics software, under the same experimental conditions. By comparing the temperatures obtained from simulation to those measured experimentally, it is noticed that the results are very close with a maximum error of 4%, hence the model is validated.