| Abstract: | Sensitivity analyses were carried out to assess the behaviour of a fluidized bed wood gasifier simulation model in response to changes in the values of design variables, operating variables, and model coefficients. The model was originally developed using the modified Bubble Assemblage Model. Physical design specifications of the fluidized bed were found to have little influence on the quality of the product gas; in fact the composition of the gas was found to depend almost exclusively on the degree of approach to equilibrium. Overall thermal efficiency could be improved only by increasing the dry wood to oxygen ratio and reducing the moisture content in the wood feed. Because wood gasifiers produce volatiles that greatly enhance the chance of slugging, the influences of the design and operating variables on the occurrence of slugging were also investigated. The onset of slugging was found to be related most strongly to the dynamic bed height. |
