Development of new modified thermodynamic equilibrium model for estimating product gas and TAR generation from biomass gasification process / Nurul Atirah Binti Hosi

Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology

Final Year Report (Bachelor of Chemical Engineering ) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah - 2025

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The work discusses the development of a comprehensive thermodynamic equilibrium model-based framework for biomass gasification processes. This framework includes models for fixed bed, fluidized bed, and entrained flow gasifiers, supported by a biomass database. The study aims to modify the thermodynamic equilibrium model to predict synthesis gas (CO, CO2, CH4, H2), char, and tar in biomass gasification using steam as the gasifying agent. This research focuses on evaluating the original thermodynamic equilibrium model and modifying it to predict synthesis gas, char, and tar. It includes model simulation and validation, along with studying the effects of operating conditions on synthesis gas, char, tar, and gasification performance (cold gas efficiency, lower heating value, carbon conversion, and synthesis gas yield) within a temperature range of 600°C to 1000°C. Biomass gasification is motivated by its ability to use waste materials as feedstock to reduce waste and increase efficiency. However, one key issue is its reliance on simplifying assumptions and idealized conditions. While helpful for modeling, these assumptions may not match real gasifier conditions. The biomass tested using this model by process and product specification to employ one type of gasifiers which are fixed bed gasifiers. Following that, model validation and simulation use to the validation process confirms the applicability of the model for analyzing gas production in fixed bed gasifiers. Since the type of biomass that have been choose are empty fruit bunch raw, empty fruit bunch torrefied, palm kernel shell raw and palm kernel shell torrefied, the peak stability of the gasification process is reached at 900 °C, 800 °C and 900 °C, 900 °C and 700 °C, respectively, making it the optimal gasification temperature as the highest synthesis gas yield appeared at this temperature. The result of the performance analysis shows that the fixed bed gasifier is more efficient than fluidized bed and entrained flow gasifier in terms of gas production.