Design and validation of reactant feeding control strategies for the solar-autothermal hybrid gasification of woody biomass

Several hybridization strategies of a solar-autothermal biomass gasifier were examined for stable and continuous operation under variable solar irradiation. The ultimate objective was to demonstrate the feasibility controlled syngas production, through modification oxygen, water, injection rates. Various probed by thermodynamic analysis experimentally validated. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations detailed impact both H2O O2 rates on produced composition constant wood feeding. Oxygen decreased H2:CO molar ratio, while reducing thermal power required carry out gasification reaction. Meanwhile, total H2+CO production dropped 1.36 mol H2 0.64 CO per mole added, independently quantity water provided. Validation experiments then carried real concentrated flux in directly-irradiated conical spouted-bed reactor, following distinct paths. Maintaining ratio above 1 during provide high amounts steam with which penalized efficient heating. In contrast, minimizing rate throughout strongly altered but CO2 requirement. Finally, successful control outlet volume flow simultaneous oxygen demonstrated (under feeding rate). Solar-to-fuel efficiencies kept around 20%, cold-gas efficiency below 80%.