Evaluation of the performance of the cross/updraft type gasification technology with the sliding bed over a circular grate

Abstract

In this article, a novel, pilot-scale gasification technology is closely described from the technological and design points of view. The construction of the fuel bed within the reactor is circular, operating according to the sliding bed principle, equipped with a tangential oxidiser intake. The technology combines principles of cross-draft and updraft gasification reactor type in an autothermal regime. In the model process with softwood pellets (spruce wood) as source fuel, the LHV of the producer gas reached 4.3 MJ.m- 3, with the overall conversion ratio reaching 80.3%. These results were obtained in a 709 +/- 10 degrees C environment with the fuel feed rate equal to exactly 30 kg.h-1 while the flow rate of the oxidising media was 17 +/- 1 m3 center dot h-1.The gas quality in terms of its content is a major factor to be considered. The purity of the producer gas is crucial for most final-use technologies. Thus, the question of polluting agents and undesired substances is ana-lysed and discussed in this article. The custom-made cleaning track of hereby described scientific technology can operate with 99.9% particulate matter removal efficiency, while tar compounds within the producer gas are kept as low as 9.7 g.m- 3.This article summarises a detailed description of a specific pilot-scale gasification unit where results of an experimental analysis are depicted along with real-time values and detailed schematic descriptions and illus-trations, providing a base for comparison with conventional technology designs.