LAUSR

ABSTRACT The thermochemical processing of biomass is gaining increasing importance as the global drive towards energy and environmental sustainability continues. The aim of this study was to model the pyrolysis, in-line stream reforming and air gasification of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) using ASPEN Plus v8.8. For the pyrolysis process, a temperature of 450°C was predicted to give a pyrolysis yield of 70.2 wt% bio-oil, 19.8 wt% char and 9.9 wt% syngas. At an optimum steam reforming temperature of 700°C, 1 atm pressure and 10 kg/kg steam-to-feed ratio the composition of the product stream was 70.23 mol% H2, 27.98 mol% CO2, 1.79 mol% CO and trace CH4. At these conditions, a theoretical feed of 10 kg/hr biomass and 100 kg/hr steam was predicted to yield 11.21 wt% synthesis gas (70% H2 rich) besides other by-products. At an optimum gasification temperature of 700°C, 1 atm pressure and 0.6 kg/kg air–fuel ratio the composition of the product stream was 47.68 mol% H2, 13.95 mol% CO2, 36.53 mol% CO and 1.83 mol% CH4. Thermochemical processing was observed to be an excellent means of harnessing the energy content of the biomass to obtain more important products.