The role of char formation in equilibrium modeling of gasification processes

Abstract

This work aims to develop and validate a model based on chemical equilibrium to predict the composition of syngas produced by gasification of woody biomass (sawdust). The model uses Gibbs Energy minimization to evaluate the composition of the system in chemical equilibrium. The results are validated by comparison between experimental data from a gasification experiment and those of other similar models in the literature. The study shows good agreement among experimental results and elucidates the role of solid unburned carbon in such systems, which is present in considerable amount. It can be concluded that equilibrium models can be used to predict carbon conversion in gasification systems.