A robust numerical model for characterizing the syngas composition in a downdraft gasification process

Abstract This study proposes a numerical model developed to characterize the chemical composition, heating value and temperature of the syngas produced by a downdraft gasifier fueled with residual biomasses. The process of gasification is essentially described through a global reaction that includes all the gaseous species and the yields of char and tar. The syngas chemical composition has been obtained solving a set of equations that are mass and energy balances, methanation and the water-gas shift reactions, which govern the gasification process. The proposed model was calibrated and validated through the comparison with two sets of experimental data. The comparison between the results of simulation and the experimental data has shown a very good agreement that allows pointing out the capability of the model to characterize the syngas composition and the temperature of the producer gas. Moreover, the performed sensitivity analysis shows the influence of moisture content and equivalent ratio on the chemical composition, equilibrium temperature and heating value of the producer gas.