Characterization of the combustion of biomass producer gas in a constant volume combustion bomb

• Published in: Fuel (Guildford) 2010-03, Vol.89 (3), p.724-731
• Main Authors: Tinaut, F.V., Melgar, A., Giménez, B., Reyes, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biomass; Chemiluminescence; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engines and turbines; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Gasification; Internal combustion engines; Natural energy; Producer gas
• ISSN: 0016-2361; 1873-7153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2009.10.006

In this article a methodology is presented for studying the influence of the biomass moisture content and the biomass/air ratio on the producer gas composition and on the chemiluminescent emissions during the combustion process. Firstly, a mathematical model based on the thermo-chemical processes inside the gasifier is used to predict the composition of the producer gas as a mixture of CO, CO 2, H 2, N 2, CH 4 and H 2O gases. Secondly, the predicted composition is introduced into a constant volume combustion bomb (CVCB), which simulates the typical conditions inside the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, in order to characterize its combustion under gasoline-type conditions through the instantaneous pressure and the detection of the spontaneous luminous radiation (chemiluminescence) emitted by chemical radicals (OH* and CH*) excited by the front flame propagation. Thirdly, the pressure curve is introduced into a two-zone analysis model based on the conservation equations to determine the parameters useful for making a diagnosis of the combustion process, such as the temperature in each zone, the laminar burning velocity, the burned mass fraction and the rate of heat release during the combustion process.