Biomass direct chemical looping process: Process simulation

Biomass is a clean and renewable energy source. The efficiency for biomass conversion using conventional fuel conversion techniques, however, is constrained by the relatively low energy density and high moisture content of biomass. This study presents the biomass direct chemical looping (BDCL) proce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fuel (Guildford) 2010-12, Vol.89 (12), p.3773-3784
Main Authors: Li, Fanxing, Zeng, Liang, Fan, Liang-Shih
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Biomass
Chemical looping
Computer simulation
Conversion
Density
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Exact sciences and technology
Fuels
Moving bed reactor modeling
Multistage
Natural energy
Optimization
Process simulation
Reactors
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Summary:Biomass is a clean and renewable energy source. The efficiency for biomass conversion using conventional fuel conversion techniques, however, is constrained by the relatively low energy density and high moisture content of biomass. This study presents the biomass direct chemical looping (BDCL) process, an alternative process, which has the potential to thermochemically convert biomass to hydrogen and/or electricity with high efficiency. Process simulation and analysis are conducted to illustrate the individual reactor performance and the overall mass and energy management scheme of the BDCL process. A multistage model is developed based on ASPEN Plus® to account for the performance of the moving bed reactors considering the reaction equilibriums. The optimum operating conditions for the reactors are also determined. Process simulation utilizing ASPEN Plus® is then performed based on the reactor performance data obtained from the multistage model. The simulation results indicate that the BDCL process is significantly more efficient than conventional biomass conversion processes. Moreover, concentrated CO 2, produced from the BDCL process is readily sequesterable, making the process carbon negative. Several BDCL configurations are investigated for process optimization purposes. The fates of contaminants are also examined.
ISSN:0016-2361
1873-7153
DOI:10.1016/j.fuel.2010.07.018