The Development of a Kinetic Model for Biochar Gasification with CO<sub>2</sub>: Comparison Between a Thermogravimetric Analyzer and a Fluidized Bed Reactor

This study presents the development of a kinetic model for the gasification of biochar with carbon dioxide and compares the results obtained using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The kinetic experiments investigated the effects of the CO<sub>2</sub>...

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Main Authors: Luis Reyes, Michael Jabbour, Lokmane Abdelouahed, Bechara Taouk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Fuels
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/6/2/34
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author Luis Reyes
Michael Jabbour
Lokmane Abdelouahed
Bechara Taouk
author_facet Luis Reyes
Michael Jabbour
Lokmane Abdelouahed
Bechara Taouk
author_sort Luis Reyes
collection DOAJ
description This study presents the development of a kinetic model for the gasification of biochar with carbon dioxide and compares the results obtained using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The kinetic experiments investigated the effects of the CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure (0.33–1 atm), temperature (800–1000 °C), and CO<sub>2</sub>/C ratio (3.5–10.5). Three structural models, the shrinking core model (SCM), volumetric model (VM), and power-law model (PLM), were evaluated for their ability to predict experimental results. The results demonstrated that increasing the temperature, CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure, and CO<sub>2</sub>/C ratio enhanced the gasification rate, reducing the time required for complete biochar conversion. The apparent activation energy for both reactors was similar (156–159 MJ/kmol), with reaction orders of 0.4–0.49. However, the kinetic models varied significantly between setups. In the TGA, the PLM provided the best fit to experimental data, with standard deviations of 2.6–9%, while in the FBR, the SCM was most accurate, yielding an average deviation of 1.5%. The SCM effectively described the layer-by-layer char consumption, where gasification slowed at high conversion levels. Conversely, the PLM for the TGA revealed a unique mathematical function not aligned with traditional models, indicating localized reaction behaviors. This study highlights the inability to directly extrapolate TGA-derived kinetic models to FBR systems, underscoring the distinct mechanisms governing char consumption in each reactor type. These findings provide critical insights for optimizing biochar gasification across diverse reactor configurations.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-3b1f5dc53df1404e9e10bbc3e1ea8caa2025-08-20T03:27:18ZengMDPI AGFuels2673-39942025-05-01623410.3390/fuels6020034The Development of a Kinetic Model for Biochar Gasification with CO<sub>2</sub>: Comparison Between a Thermogravimetric Analyzer and a Fluidized Bed ReactorLuis Reyes0Michael Jabbour1Lokmane Abdelouahed2Bechara Taouk3Laboratoire de Sécurité des Procédés Chimiques, LSPC EA-4704, INSA Rouen Normandie, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, 76000 Rouen, FranceLaboratoire de Sécurité des Procédés Chimiques, LSPC EA-4704, INSA Rouen Normandie, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, 76000 Rouen, FranceLaboratoire de Sécurité des Procédés Chimiques, LSPC EA-4704, INSA Rouen Normandie, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, 76000 Rouen, FranceLaboratoire de Sécurité des Procédés Chimiques, LSPC EA-4704, INSA Rouen Normandie, Normandie University, UNIROUEN, 76000 Rouen, FranceThis study presents the development of a kinetic model for the gasification of biochar with carbon dioxide and compares the results obtained using a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The kinetic experiments investigated the effects of the CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure (0.33–1 atm), temperature (800–1000 °C), and CO<sub>2</sub>/C ratio (3.5–10.5). Three structural models, the shrinking core model (SCM), volumetric model (VM), and power-law model (PLM), were evaluated for their ability to predict experimental results. The results demonstrated that increasing the temperature, CO<sub>2</sub> partial pressure, and CO<sub>2</sub>/C ratio enhanced the gasification rate, reducing the time required for complete biochar conversion. The apparent activation energy for both reactors was similar (156–159 MJ/kmol), with reaction orders of 0.4–0.49. However, the kinetic models varied significantly between setups. In the TGA, the PLM provided the best fit to experimental data, with standard deviations of 2.6–9%, while in the FBR, the SCM was most accurate, yielding an average deviation of 1.5%. The SCM effectively described the layer-by-layer char consumption, where gasification slowed at high conversion levels. Conversely, the PLM for the TGA revealed a unique mathematical function not aligned with traditional models, indicating localized reaction behaviors. This study highlights the inability to directly extrapolate TGA-derived kinetic models to FBR systems, underscoring the distinct mechanisms governing char consumption in each reactor type. These findings provide critical insights for optimizing biochar gasification across diverse reactor configurations.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/6/2/34biochar gasificationkinetic modelingfluidized bed reactorthermogravimetric analyzercarbon dioxide utilization
spellingShingle Luis Reyes
Michael Jabbour
Lokmane Abdelouahed
Bechara Taouk
The Development of a Kinetic Model for Biochar Gasification with CO<sub>2</sub>: Comparison Between a Thermogravimetric Analyzer and a Fluidized Bed Reactor
Fuels
biochar gasification
kinetic modeling
fluidized bed reactor
thermogravimetric analyzer
carbon dioxide utilization
title The Development of a Kinetic Model for Biochar Gasification with CO<sub>2</sub>: Comparison Between a Thermogravimetric Analyzer and a Fluidized Bed Reactor
title_full The Development of a Kinetic Model for Biochar Gasification with CO<sub>2</sub>: Comparison Between a Thermogravimetric Analyzer and a Fluidized Bed Reactor
title_fullStr The Development of a Kinetic Model for Biochar Gasification with CO<sub>2</sub>: Comparison Between a Thermogravimetric Analyzer and a Fluidized Bed Reactor
title_full_unstemmed The Development of a Kinetic Model for Biochar Gasification with CO<sub>2</sub>: Comparison Between a Thermogravimetric Analyzer and a Fluidized Bed Reactor
title_short The Development of a Kinetic Model for Biochar Gasification with CO<sub>2</sub>: Comparison Between a Thermogravimetric Analyzer and a Fluidized Bed Reactor
title_sort development of a kinetic model for biochar gasification with co sub 2 sub comparison between a thermogravimetric analyzer and a fluidized bed reactor
topic biochar gasification
kinetic modeling
fluidized bed reactor
thermogravimetric analyzer
carbon dioxide utilization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-3994/6/2/34
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