Modelo Euleriano-Lagrangiano del proceso de gasificación en lecho fluidizado

Abstract

Introduction: In fluidized bed gasification processes, it is important to evaluate the behavior of pressure parameters, temperature, gas composition, characteristics of the material to be gasified, oxidant flow, among other parameters. To carry out this evaluation quickly, the use of computational fluid dynamics modeling is one of the most powerful tools.  The solid and gaseous phases of gasification can be estimated using a Lagrangian and Eulerian model respectively.

Objective: To develop a model using computational fluid dynamics to evaluate the behavior of the gasification process in a fluidized bed.

Method: From the literature review, the geometry of the reactor to be modeled, the operating conditions and the material to be gasified were selected. The model developed with the STAR CCM+ software, the equations that govern the behavior of the process, the mesh and time independence studies, among other parameters of interest, are described in detail.

Results:  The model developed was validated with data reported in the literature by direct comparison of the concentrations of the gas obtained when air was used as an oxidizing agent, as well as showing the concentration of the gas obtained throughout the reactor for times of interest.

Conclusions: From the results obtained, a good approximation was achieved with what is reported in the literature, which allows evidencing the validity of the model developed. The sub-models used in this work differ from those reported by [1], so some differences are obtained in the molar fractions of the species obtained, however the model adequately predicts the behavior of the process.