CFD modelling of biomass catalytic fast pyrolysis in bubbling fluidized
reactor: effects of catalyst parameters
Abstract
In this study, a CFD mathematical model has been developed for catalytic
fast pyrolysis (CFP) of biomass. The multi-phase fluid flow, and the
inter-phase momentum and energy transfer processes were modelled with
Eulerian multi-phase formulas. The biomass catalyst fast pyrolysis
reactions were described by using a two-stage, semi-global model.
Specified secondary tar catalytic cracking process, which considers both
intrinsic reaction rates and mass transfer process are embedded to the
developed model by user-defined function (UDF). The developed model has
then been employed to investigate the effects of structural properties
of catalyst, such as specific internal area, average size of active
sites, pore diameter, and tortuosity, on products yields and
composition. The influences of adsorption capability of tar molecule on
catalyst surface and external film mass transfer were also analyzed. The
developed model can be employed for further research and engineering
designs of the catalyst pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials.