Steam-air fluidized-bed gasification of distillers grains

Ajay Kumar, Kent Eskridge, David D. Jones, Mifford A. Hanna

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Because of the tremendous increase in corn ethanol production, the need to utilize the distillers' grains byproduct is increasing. Biomass gasification is a thermochemical process for converting solid fuel to gaseous fuel. In this study, gasification of distillers grains was performed on a bench-scale fluidized-bed gasifier with steam and air as fluidizing and oxidizing agents. The goal was to investigate the effects of steam to biomass ratio, air to biomass ratio and furnace temperature on gas composition and energy conversion efficiency of the product gas. The gasification temperature was the most influential factor affecting energy efficiency and hydrogen content of the product gas. Increasing the temperature resulted in increases in efficiency and hydrogen content. The efficiency and methane content increased and decreased, respectively after reaching a maximum with an increase in steam to biomass ratio. The equivalence ratio increased the efficiency but decreased the hydrogen content and had a minimal effect on the methane content.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2008, ASABE 2008
PublisherAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Pages5228-5242
Number of pages15
ISBN (Print)9781605605364
StatePublished - 2008
EventAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2008 - Providence, RI, United States
Duration: Jun 29 2008Jul 2 2008

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2008, ASABE 2008
Volume9

Conference

ConferenceAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityProvidence, RI
Period6/29/087/2/08

Keywords

  • Bioenergy
  • Biomass
  • Distillers grain
  • Fluidized-bed
  • Gasification
  • Thermochemical conversion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)

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