Integrated simulation and statistical optimization of eucalyptus globulus air gasification using Aspen Plus and RSM
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Biomass gasification provides a sustainable route for renewable energy production, but its performance is governed by operating conditions. In this study, equilibrium modelling of Eucalyptus globulus woodchips in a downdraft gasifier with a solid–gas separator was performed using Aspen Plus. A Box–Behnken design was applied to evaluate the effects of temperature (350–1000°C), equivalence ratio (0.10–0.30), and moisture content (0–25%). Higher temperatures substantially enhanced syngas quality, increasing H 2 from 4 to 16 mol% and CO from 0 to 22 mol%, raising the LHV by 52% and improving CGE from 28% to 55%. Conversely, increasing moisture from 0–25% reduced H 2 , CO, and CH 4 by 35–60%, lowering syngas LHV by 20%, CGE by 42%, and CCE by 30%. Increasing ER from 0.10 to 0.30 decreased H 2 , CO, and CH 4 by 40–70% and reduced LHV by 45%. Tar yield decreased sharply with operating severity, with temperature, ER, and moisture reducing tar by 97%, 75%, and 16%, respectively. The RSM models showed high predictive accuracy (R 2 > 95%), with temperature contributing more than 79% to H 2 formation and over 87% to CGE. Optimal conditions were 809.7°C, an equivalence ratio of 0.10, and 6.5% moisture, producing a CGE of 71.05%, LHV of 8.07 MJ/Nm 3 , and CCE of 83.40%, with syngas compositions of H 2 (18.69%), CO (25.26%), CO 2 (8.83%), and CH 4 (2.68%), and a composite desirability of 0.655. Sensitivity analysis confirmed that these operating setpoints are robust to feedstock variations. This integrated modelling and optimization approach provides a practical tool for biomass gasification system design.
Source: Results in Engineering
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,940
OpenAlex ID: W7124731967