Mathematical Modeling of a Biomass Steam Gasifier—A Modified Equilibrium Approach

Abstract

A large potential is contributed to the energetic utilization of biomass, whereby thermochemical gasification seems to be especially interesting. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the thermochemical conversion process in the gasifier, mathematical models are used. An intensive effort is made in development of mathematical models describing the gasification process and a large number of models, considerably differing in their degree of simplification, and their applications are reported in literature. In the present article, a brief review of models applied, mainly focused on equilibrium models, is provided and a robust and flexible modified stoichiometric equilibrium model, for modeling a novel gasifier, is presented.