Three-dimensional CFD simulation of co-gasification of biomass and plastic wastes (SRF) in a bubbling fluidized bed with detailed kinetic chemical model
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2025
Three-dimensional CFD simulation of co-gasification of biomass and plastic wastes (SRF) in a bubbling fluidized bed with detailed kinetic chemical model
In this study, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model using multiphase particle-in-cell (MP-PIC) method with large eddy simulation (LES) was developed to investigate the characteristics of the co-gasification of densified wood pellets (WP) and rice husk pellets (RHP) with SRF in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. ER reduction from 0.30 to 0.10 resulted in a decrease in specific gas yield per total feed from 1.20 g/gtotal to 0.96 g/gtotal and from 1.20 g/gtotal to 0.67 g/gtotal during SRF/WP and SRF/RHP co-gasification, respectively. Reducing ER during SRF/WP co-gasification allows to increase C2–C3 HCs yield reaching 0.33 g/gsrf (0.15 g/gtotal) at ER = 0.15, 0.556 kg/h SRF, and 0.693 kg/h WP. Carbon conversion efficiency (CCE) and cold gas efficiency (CGE) at the same conditions reduced to 83% and 74%, respectively. Co-gasification of 0.667 kg/h SRF and 2.040 kg/h RHP allowed to reach 0.28 g/gsrf (0.07 g/gtotal) C2–C3 HCs yield, but drastically reducing CCE and CGE to 71% and 46%, respectively. SRF/WP co-gasification is suggested for low cost C2–C3 HCs recovery from SRF with coproduction of syngas retaining 48% to 57% of initial LHV, meaning that SRF/RHP co-gasification is more suitable for syngas production.
ZhangJQinQLiG, et al.Sustainable municipal waste management strategies through life cycle assessment method: a review. J Environ Manage2021; 287: 1–17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112238
2.
HoangATVarbanovPSNižetićS, et al.Perspective review on Municipal Solid Waste-to-energy route: characteristics, management strategy, and role in circular economy. J Clean Prod2022; 359: 1–29. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131897
3.
World Population Clock. Worldometer2021.
4.
UsmaniZKumarVVarjaniS, et al.Municipal solid waste to clean energy system: a contribution toward sustainable development. In: Current Developments in Biotechnology and Bioengineering: Resource Recovery from Wastes. Dhanbad: Elsevier, 2020. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64321-6.00011-2.
5.
ShahAVSrivastavaVKMohantySS, et al.Municipal solid waste as a sustainable resource for energy production: state-of-the-art review. J Environ Chem Eng2021; 9: 105717. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2021.105717
6.
The World Bank. What a Waste: An Updated Look into the Future of Solid Waste Management The World Bank. Washington: The World Bank, 2018.
7.
Erses YayAS. Application of life cycle assessment (LCA) for municipal solid waste management: a case study of Sakarya. J Clean Prod2015; 94: 284–293. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.01.089
8.
YaashikaaPRKumarPSSaravananA, et al.Bioconversion of municipal solid waste into bio-based products: a review on valorisation and sustainable approach for circular bioeconomy. Sci Total Environ2020; 748: 141312. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141312
9.
HasanMMRasulMGKhanMMK, et al.Energy recovery from municipal solid waste using pyrolysis technology: a review on current status and developments. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2021; 145: 111073. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2021.111073
10.
SarbassovYVenetisCAiymbetovB, et al.Municipal solid waste management and greenhouse gas emissions at international airports: a case study of Astana International Airport. J Air Transp Manag2020; 85: 101789. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2020.101789
11.
ReneERGeJKumarG, et al.Resource recovery from wastewater, solid waste, and waste gas: engineering and management aspects. Environ Sci Pollut Res2020; 27: 17435–17437. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08802-4
MoyaDAldásCLópezG, et al.Municipal solid waste as a valuable renewable energy resource: a worldwide opportunity of energy recovery by using Waste-To-Energy Technologies. Energy Procedia2017; 134: 286–295. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.09.618
LopezGArtetxeMAmutioM, et al.Recent advances in the gasification of waste plastics. A critical overview. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2018; 82: 576–596. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.09.032
16.
HanSWTokmurzinDLeeJJ, et al.Gasification characteristics of waste plastics (SRF) in a bubbling fluidized bed: use of activated carbon and olivine for tar removal and the effect of steam/carbon ratio. Fuel2022; 314: 1–15. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.123102
17.
SafarianSUnnþórssonRRichterC. A review of biomass gasification modelling. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev2019; 110: 378–391. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.05.003
18.
XieJZhongWShaoY, et al.Simulation of co-gasification of coal and wood in a dual fluidized bed system. Adv Powder Technol2021; 32: 52–71. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apt.2020.11.017
19.
ArenaUDi GregorioF. Energy generation by air gasification of two industrial plastic wastes in a pilot scale fluidized bed reactor. Energy2014; 68: 735–743. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.01.084
20.
BaiBLiuYWangQ, et al.Experimental investigation on gasification characteristics of plastic wastes in supercritical water. Renew Energy2019; 135: 32–40. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.11.092
BeheshtiSMGhassemiHShahsavan-MarkadehR. Process simulation of biomass gasification in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. Energy Convers Manag2015; 94: 345–352. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.01.060
24.
YangYLiewRKTamothranAM, et al.Gasification of refuse-derived fuel from municipal solid waste for energy production: a review. Environ Chem Lett2021; 19: 2127–2140. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01177-5
MastelloneMLZaccarielloLArenaU. Co-gasification of coal, plastic waste and wood in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. Fuel2010; 89: 2991–3000. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2010.05.019
27.
NarobeMGolobJKlinarD, et al.Co-gasification of biomass and plastics: pyrolysis kinetics studies, experiments on 100kW dual fluidized bed pilot plant and development of thermodynamic equilibrium model and balances. Bioresour Technol2014; 162: 21–29. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.121
28.
PioDTTarelhoLACTavaresAMA, et al.Co-gasification of refused derived fuel and biomass in a pilot-scale bubbling fluidized bed reactor. Energy Convers Manage2020; 206: 1–12. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2020.112476
29.
CaoYFuLMofradA. Combined-gasification of biomass and municipal solid waste in a fluidized bed gasifier. J Energy Inst2019; 92: 1683–1688. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2019.01.006
ZhaoSYangPLiuX, et al.Synergistic effect of mixing wheat straw and lignite in co-pyrolysis and steam co-gasification. Bioresour Technol2020; 302: 1–8. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122876
32.
HwangISSohnJLeeUD, et al.CFD-DEM simulation of air-blown gasification of biomass in a bubbling fluidized bed gasifier: effects of equivalence ratio and fluidization number. Energy2021; 219: 1–15. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2020.119533
33.
LeeDNamHWon SeoM, et al.Recent progress in the catalytic thermochemical conversion process of biomass for biofuels. Chem Eng J2022; 447: 137501. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.137501
34.
TokmurzinDNamJYParkSJ, et al.Three-Dimensional CFD simulation of waste plastic ( SRF ) gasification in a bubbling fluidized bed with detailed kinetic chemical model. Energy Convers Manag2022; 267: 115925. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115925
35.
TokmurzinDAdairD. Development of Euler-lagrangian simulation of a circulating fluidized bed reactor for coal gasification. Eurasian Chem Technol J2019; 21: 45–49. doi:https://doi.org/10.18321/ectj789
36.
LohaCChattopadhyayHChatterjeePK. Three dimensional kinetic modeling of fluidized bed biomass gasification. Chem Eng Sci2014; 109: 53–64. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2014.01.017
37.
WangSLuoKHuC, et al.Impact of operating parameters on biomass gasification in a fluidized bed reactor : an Eulerian–Lagrangian approach. Powder Technol2018; 333: 304–316. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2018.04.027
LeeJEChoiHSSeoYC. Study of hydrodynamic characteristics in a circulating fluidized bed gasifier for plastic waste by computational fluid dynamics modeling and simulation. J Mater Cycles Waste Manag2014; 16: 665–676. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10163-014-0275-5
40.
SinghRI. CFD modeling of fluidized bed unit using waste plastics with eulerian eulerian approach. Proc Int Conf Comput Methods Eng Heal Sci2014; 1: 1–7. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.1150.0325
41.
CoutoNDSilvaVBMonteiroE, et al.Assessment of municipal solid wastes gasification in a semi-industrial gasifier using syngas quality indices. Energy2015; 93: 864–873. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.09.064
42.
DuSYuanSZhouQ. Numerical investigation of co-gasification of coal and PET in a fluidized bed reactor. Renew Energy2021; 172: 424–439. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.03.035
SinghMSalaudeenSAGilroyedBH, et al.Simulation of biomass-plastic co-gasification in a fluidized bed reactor using aspen plus. Fuel2022; 319: 123708. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123708
45.
DoguOPelucchiMVan de VijverR, et al.The chemistry of chemical recycling of solid plastic waste via pyrolysis and gasification : state-of-the-art, challenges, and future directions. Prog Energy Combust Sci2021; 84: 100901. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2020.100901
46.
KannanPAl ShoaibiASrinivasakannanC. Process simulation and sensitivity analysis of waste plastics gasification in a fluidized bed reactor. WIT Trans Ecol Environ2012; 163: 177–186. doi:https://doi.org/10.2495/WM120171
47.
MadanikashaniSVandewalleLADe MeesterS, et al.Multi-scale modeling of plastic waste gasification: opportunities and challenges. Materials (Basel)2022; 15: 1–83. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15124215
48.
WangSLuoKHuC, et al.CFD-DEM study of the effect of cyclone arrangements on the gas–solid flow dynamics in the full-loop circulating fluidized bed. Chem Eng Sci2017; 172: 199–215. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2017.05.052
49.
WanZYangSSunY, et al.Distribution and particle-scale thermochemical property of biomass in the gasifier of a dual fluidized bed. Energy Convers Manag2020; 209: 112672. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2020.112672
50.
ClementsAGBlackSSzuhánszkiJ, et al.LES and RANS of air and oxy-coal combustion in a pilot-scale facility : predictions of radiative heat transfer. Fuel2015; 151: 146–155. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.01.089
51.
GuptaSChoudharySKumarS, et al.Large eddy simulation of biomass gasification in a bubbling fluidized bed based on the multiphase particle-in-cell method. Renew Energy2021; 163: 1455–1466. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.07.127
52.
LohaCChattopadhyayHChatterjeePK. Energy generation from fluidized bed gasification of rice husk. J Renew Energy2013; 043111: 1–11. doi:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4816496
53.
WanZYangSHuJ, et al.CFD study of the reactive gas–solid hydrodynamics in a large-scale catalytic methanol-to-olefin fluidized bed reactor. Energy2022; 243: 122974. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.122974
54.
AuzeraisFMJacksonRRusselWB. The resolution of shocks and the effects of compressible sediments in transient settling. J Fluid Mech1988; 195: 437–462. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112088002472
55.
SniderDM. An incompressible three-dimensional multiphase particle-in-cell model for dense particle flows. J Comput Phys2001; 170: 523–549. doi:https://doi.org/10.1006/jcph.2001.6747
56.
LiuHLiJWangQ. Three-dimensional numerical simulation of the co-combustion of oil shale retorting solid waste with cornstalk particles in a circulating fluidized bed reactor. Appl Therm Eng2018; 130: 296–308. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.10.107
57.
ZhangYLanXGaoJ. Modeling of gas–solid flow in a CFB riser based on computational particle fluid dynamics. Pet Sci2012; 9: 535–543. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12182-012-0240-7
58.
LanXShiXZhangY, et al.Solids back-mixing behavior and effect of the mesoscale structure in CFB risers. Ind Eng Chem Res2013; 52: 11888–11896. doi:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie3034448
59.
ShiXLanXLiuF, et al.Effect of particle size distribution on hydrodynamics and solids back-mixing in CFB risers using CPFD simulation. Powder Technol2014; 266: 135–143. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2014.06.025
60.
AuzeraisFMJacksonRRusselWB. The resolution of shocks and the effects of compressible sediments in transient settling. J Fluid Mech1988; 195: 437–462. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112088002472
61.
WenCYYuYH. Mechanics of fluidization. Chem Eng Progr Symp Ser1966; 62: 100–111.
62.
ES. Fluid flow through packed columns. Chem Eng Prog Chem Eng Prog1952; 952: 89–94.
63.
TokmurzinDRaHWYoonSM, et al.Pyrolysis characteristics of Kazakhstan coals in non-isothermal and isothermal conditions. Int J Coal Prep Util2022; 42: 254–274. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/19392699.2019.1594793
64.
SantamariaLBeirowMMangoldF, et al.Influence of temperature on products from fluidized bed pyrolysis of wood and solid recovered fuel. Fuel2021; 283: 1–11. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118922
65.
HanSWLeeJJTokmurzinD, et al.Gasification characteristics of waste plastics (SRF) in a bubbling fluidized bed: effects of temperature and equivalence ratio. Energy2021; 238: 1–19. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121944
66.
XuJQiaoL. Mathematical modeling of coal gasification processes in a well-stirred reactor: effects of devolatilization and moisture content. Energy Fuels2012; 26: 5759–5768. doi:https://doi.org/10.1021/ef3008745
67.
TokmurzinDKuspangaliyevaBAimbetovB, et al.Characterization of solid char produced from pyrolysis of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste, high volatile coal and their blends. Energy2020; 191: 116562. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116562
68.
JiangLYuanXLiH, et al.Pyrolysis and combustion kinetics of sludge-camphor pellet thermal decomposition using thermogravimetric analysis. Energy Convers Manag2015; 106: 282–289. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.09.046
69.
BandaraJCMoldestadBMEEikelandMS. Analysing the effect of temperature for steam fluidized-bed gasification of biomass with MP-PIC simulation. Int J Energy Environ2011; 2: 529–542.
70.
KongDWangSLuoK, et al.Three-dimensional simulation of biomass gasification in a full-loop pilot-scale dual fluidized bed with complex geometric structure. Renew Energy2020; 157: 466–481. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.04.130
71.
YuJYaoCZengX, et al.Biomass pyrolysis in a micro-fluidized bed reactor: characterization and kinetics. Chem Eng J2011; 168: 839–847. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2011.01.097
72.
SyamlalMBissettLA. METC Gasifier Advanced Simulation (MGAS) Model PQBLICLY RELEASABLE. 1992.
BustamanteFEnickRMCuginiAV, et al.High-temperature kinetics of the homogeneous reverse water-gas shift reaction. AIChE J2004; 50: 1028–1041. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.10099
75.
BustamanteFEnickRMKillmeyerRP, et al.Uncatalyzed and wall-catalyzed forward water-gas shift reaction kinetics. AIChE J2005; 51: 1440–1454. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.10396
76.
ShenXJiaLWangY, et al.Study on dynamic characteristics of residual char of CFB boiler based on CPFD method. Energies (Basel)2020; 13: 1–24. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/en13225883
77.
WilliamsPTNugranadN. Comparison of products from the pyrolysis and catalytic pyrolysis of rice husks. Energy 2000; 25: 493–513. doi:10.1016/S0360-5442(00)00009-8
78.
SalamB. Alternative fuel from pyrolysis of rice husk ICMERE2013-PI-125. 2017.
79.
TokmurzinDNamJYLeeTR, et al.High temperature flash pyrolysis characteristics of waste plastics (SRF) in a bubbling fluidized bed: effect of temperature and pelletizing. Fuel2022; 326: 125022. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125022
80.
WestbrookCKDryerFL. Simplified reaction mechanisms for the oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels in flames. Combust Sci Technol1981; 27: 31–43. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00102208108946970
81.
LiuHCattolicaRJSeiserR, et al.Three-dimensional full-loop simulation of a dual fluidized-bed biomass gasifier. Appl Energy2015; 160: 489–501. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.09.065
82.
ThapaRKJaiswalRMoldestadBME. CPFD simulation of a fixed bed gasification reactor. In: Energy Production and Management in the 21st Century IV 246. Southampton: WIT Press, 2020, pp. 51–59. doi:10.2495/EPM200061
83.
BarbariasILopezGArtetxeM, et al.Kinetic modeling of the catalytic steam reforming of high-density polyethylene pyrolysis volatiles. Energy Fuels2017; 31: 12645–12653. doi:https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b01909
84.
MilneTAEvansRJAbatzaglouN. Biomass gasifier “tars”: their nature, formation, and conversion. NREL/TP-570-253571998; 1: 803–816.
85.
ElliottDC. Relation of reaction time and temperature to chemical composition of pyrolysis oils. E.J. Soltes, T.A. Milne (Eds.), Proceedings of the ACS symposium series 376, pyrolysis oils from biomass, Denver, CO, April 1987, pp. 55–65 (1988) doi:10.1021/bk-1988-0376.ch006.
86.
DeviLPtasinskiKJJanssenFJJG. Pretreated olivine as tar removal catalyst for biomass gasifiers : investigation using naphthalene as model biomass tarFuel Process Technol. 2005; 86: 707–730.
MorfPHaslerPNussbaumerT. Mechanisms and kinetics of homogeneous secondary reactions of tar from continuous pyrolysis of wood chips. Fuel2002; 81: 843–853. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-2361(01)00216-2
HanSWLeeJJTokmurzinD, et al.Gasification characteristics of waste plastics (SRF) in a bubbling fluidized bed: effects of temperature and equivalence ratio. Energy2022; 238: 123102. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121944
92.
YangSWangHWeiY, et al.Particle-scale modeling of biomass gasification in the three-dimensional bubbling fluidized bed. Energy Convers Manag2019; 196: 1–17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.05.105
93.
SobhiMBotondAPalS. Numerical study of mixing and heat transfer of SRF particles in a bubbling fluidized bed. J Therm Anal Calorim2019; 142: 1087–1096. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-019-09135-2
94.
LuckosAKoekemoerA. On the sphericity of coal and char particles. IFSA 2014, Ind Fluidization S Afr2014; 19: 267–276.
95.
ParkSJSonSHKookJW, et al.Gasification operational characteristics of 20-tons-Per-Day rice husk fluidized-bed reactor. Renew Energy2021; 169: 788 –798. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.01.045
96.
BarboutisJAPhilippouJL. Evergreen Mediterranean hardwoods as particleboard raw material Evergreen Mediterranean hardwoods as particleboard raw material. Build Environ2018; 42(3): 1183–1187. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.07.053
97.
GondekEStasiakMMolendaM, et al.Mechanical properties of sawdust and woodchips q. Fuel2015; 159: 900–908.
98.
UnpinitTPoblarpTSailoonN. Fuel properties of bio-pellets produced from selected materials under various compacting pressure. In: Energy Procedia. 79. Thailand: Elsevier B.V., 2015, pp.657–662.
99.
Puig-GameroMPioDTTarelhoLAC, et al.Simulation of biomass gasification in bubbling fluidized bed reactor using aspen plus®. Energy Convers Manag2021; 235: 1–18. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2021.113981
100.
PolinJPCarrHDWhitmerLE, et al.Conventional and autothermal pyrolysis of corn stover: overcoming the processing challenges of high-ash agricultural residues. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis2019; 143: 104679. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2019.104679
101.
KookJWChoiHMKimBH, et al.Gasification and tar removal characteristics of rice husk in a bubbling fluidized bed reactor. Fuel2016; 181: 942–950. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2016.05.027
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
