Journal of Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers ISSN:1738-3692(Print) 2093-7709(Online) 한국농공학회논문집

A thermochemical equilibrium model was constructed for predicting composition of synthesis gas in biomass gasification. The model included estimation of equilibrium constants using Gibbs free energy. After constructing the model, the results were compared with the experimental values and predictions from a previous model. Gas compositions were reasonably well agreed with them and showed effects of operational and fuel condition. When the reaction temperature increased, the lower heating values decreased due to the decrease in CH4 concentrations. The methane concentrations were lower than those observed in experimental results. The model was used to predict the gas composition and heating values for the cases of mixed fuel of charcoal and un-dry woodchips. Although downdraft gasifiers require fuels less than 15% of moisture contents, the model results indicated that the mixed fuel with charcoal and woodchips which had over 25% of moisture contents could be used in the downdraft gasifiers. It might be explained by increase in energy density resulting from mixing charcoal. The results imply that the efforts and costs for drying biomass fuels could be reduced by mixing charcoal or fuels with higher calorific values.