CFD-DEM Modeling of Biomass Pyrolysis in a DBD Plasma Fluidized Bed

Abstract

This study developed a CFD-DEM model to simulate biomass pyrolysis within a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma fluidized bed reactor. Biomass, as a renewable energy source, offers a promising alternative for hydrogen production through pyrolysis. The integration of non-thermal plasma technology and fluidized bed reactors is expected to enhance conversion. Key operational parameters such as inlet gas velocity, particle size, and input voltage were examined to evaluate their effects on temperature distribution, particle conversion, and hydrogen production. Results indicated that higher inlet gas velocities promote better particle mixing and more uniform temperature and conversion distribution. Smaller particle sizes significantly enhance biomass conversion by increasing the available surface area between fluid and particles. Specifically, particles with diameters of 0.85, 1.2, and 1.5 mm achieved conversions of 10.4, 8.99, and 8.57 %, respectively, at 20 s from the start of the process. Additionally, increasing the input voltage increases the mean temperatures of particles and fluid, which enhances reaction rates and conversion. Optimizing these parameters can improve the efficiency of DBD plasmaassisted biomass pyrolysis, providing valuable insights for sustainable hydrogen production.