A predictive PBM-DEAM model for lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is a promising and attractive way to convert lignocellulosic biomass into low carbon-emission energy products. To effectively use biomass feedstock with size distribution to produce biofuels, a comprehensive kinetic model of the process, occurring at particle level, is important. In this study, the population balance model (PBM)distributed activation energy model (DAEM) coupled model is first time developed to predict biomass pyrolysis. The Population balance model is used to present the variable size distribution of solid, decomposed from virgin biomass to porous char. Two different kinetic models are embedded into the conservation equations of mass and energy. They are compared to demonstrate the prediction performance of heating-up time during the pyrolysis process of biomass with a normal size distribution. It is found that non-isothermal kinetics without and with DEAM capture the intra-particle temperature distribution. There is a noticeable difference of heating-up time between single and distributed particle size.