Work

Three-dimensional computational fluid-dynamic simulation of polypropylene steam gasification

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Among the recycling techniques, gasification allows to obtain a hydrogen-rich gas from polypropylene (PP), a widely used thermoplastic material. In this work, devolatilization and steam gasification tests of PP were conducted in fluidized bed reactors. The results show a gas yield of 1.3 and 3.0 Nm 3 /kg PP , and a tar content of 117.3 and 20.9 g/Nm 3 from devolatilization and gasification, respectively. Experimental results provide an overall overview of this process, able to produce a syngas with an H 2 -content of 50 vol% dry . Experimental data coupled with kinetic analysis were used to develop a computational fluid dynamic model (CFD) capable of describing both thermal degradation and subsequent gasification reactions. Although some discrepancies on water conversion and H 2 /CO ratio probably related to the influence of steam in radical chain-scission the model allows to describe gas production and hydrocarbons evolution providing important support for modeling and sizing of fluidized bed reactors on an industrial scale.

Source: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.09.101

Authors: Armando Vitale, Alessandro Antonio Papa, Andrea Di Carlo, Sergio Rapagnà

Institutions: University of L'Aquila, University of Teramo

Language: English

Topic: Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,400