Performance Investigation of Biomass Gasification for Syngas and Hydrogen Production Using Aspen Plus

Abstract

This study presents a reliable model using Aspen Plus process simulator capable of performing a sensitivity analysis of the downdraft gasification linked to hydrogen production unit. Effects of key factors, including gasification temperature and steam to biomass ratio (SBR) on the syngas composition, calorific value of syngas and hydrogen production are discussed and then the optimal conditions for maximum hydrogen production are extracted. The model is validated by experimental and other modeling data and found to be in great agreement. The sensitivity analysis results obtained by only using air as gasification agent indicate that higher temperatures are favorable for a product gas with higher hydrogen content and calorific value. Moreover, steam consumption as gasifying agent leads to increasing the hydrogen content and heating value of the syngas compared to the use of air as gasification agent. Finally, the results show that the optimal conditions to have the highest value of hydrogen output from sawdust downdraft gasification are 800˚C as gasifier temperature and 0.6 for SBR.