Process simulation of biomass gasification for waste materials in developing countries using integrated CHP and heat pipe reformer technology

Abstract

A new technology development on biomass gasification called Heatpipe Reformer (HPR) patented by the Technical University of Munich, promises an innovative pressurized allothermal gasification technology, which can produce a hydrogen-rich, medium calorific value product gas which is low in nitrogen. The HPR technology basically separates the gasification and combustion zone into two parts, whereby the gasification zone is gasified by steam - therefore producing a low-nitrogen product gas, and the combustion zone uses air. The heat from the combustion zone is transferred to the gasification zone using so-called Heatpipes. There has been previous simulations using wood as feedstock, therefore this thesis wants to analyze the use of waste materials as feedstock. Sensitivity analysis to find ideal parameters from the process-design parameters are also being done. The efficiency results from these simulations using wood and waste materials are then being analyzed and discussed. This work uses IPSEpro simulation software.