LAUSR

In this study, the biomass degradation and the evolution of chemical species during pyrolysis are analysed with the main aim of evaluating the energy performance of a micro-cogeneration unit fed by biogas. The decomposition of the feedstock material is modelled as a two-stage process: firstly, in the reactor, the biomass is decomposed in a residual solid fraction (char) and a gaseous mixture; then, the condensable gases are divided from permanent gases generating the pyro-oil. The mathematical model proposed in this work has been developed considering the dependence of the pyrolysis process from the temperature and within the interval 500–900 °C. The kinetic of the reactions involved during the pyrolysis was also taken into account. Simulations run in AspenPlus exploiting the R-yield reactor supported by a calculator block. Afterwards, the energy recovery line for the valorisation of the pyroproducts has been analysed. The gas fraction obtained at the end of the cycle was firstly characterized and then used to feed a micro-CHP system. Results are very promising, with great potential in terms of thermal recovery; more than 60% of the initially fed biogas and about 30% power output can be