Numerical simulation and multi-process coupling analysis for biomass pyrolysis fluidized bed reactor based on synergistic effects between biomass and nitrogen inlet modes

Biomass fast pyrolysis fluidized bed reactor is regarded as one of the most promising technologies for high value utilization of biomass. In this work, one two-dimensional fluidized bed reactor model was established, coupling with multiphase CFD simulation method and pyrolysis reaction kinetics, and further verified by the experimental data. This work mainly investigated the effects of biomass inlet and nitrogen inlet modes on multi-process characteristics, such as flow behavior, heat transfer and pyrolysis reaction. The synergistic effects between the two inlet modes were further explored and thus would affect the three-phase pyrolysis product distribution. The results showed that the spatial particle distribution and temperature distribution in the dense phase zone were becoming more uniform and the tar yield increased when the biomass inlet mode changed from single nozzle to double nozzles jetting opposite. Besides, when the nitrogen nozzle number was set as one and the auxiliary gas velocity was set as 0.15 m/s, much larger local circulation formed in the dense phase zone, meanwhile the particle volume fraction and temperature became more evenly distributed, which was conducive to the biomass pyrolysis process. The nitrogen inlet mode was found to show a greater impact on the tar yield compared to the biomass inlet mode. For single gas inlet mode, one biomass nozzle should be preferred for lower auxiliary gas velocity and the opposite double nozzle would be better for higher auxiliary gas velocity. The synergistic effects between biomass and nitrogen inlet modes were further summarized, which were found to have a positive impact on the biomass pyrolysis reaction characteristics. Based on the above conclusions, this work could provide a feasible theoretical guidance for designing fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor and optimizing the biomass pyrolysis process. •A fluidized bed for biomass fast pyrolysis was simulated using CFD.•Effects of two inlet modes on multi-process characteristics were revealed.•The synergistic effects between two inlet modes on tar yield were explored.