Study of the use of solar concentrators in the process of steam-gaseification of biomass: solar chemical reactor modeling

• Grant number: 13/03722-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: January 11, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: José Roberto Simões Moreira
• Grantee: Vinicius Eduardo Ribas
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

For decades, solar energy has instigated researches all over the world due to its enormous potential. The growing concern about the environment and the search for renewable power sources promotes the interest in the Sun utilization. Despite the challenges such as the solar intermittence, the seasonality and the hard transportation of this type of energy, the search for storage techniques aims to eliminate these issues. A thermochemical alternative is the solar fuels production - fuels obtained by the use of concentrated solar energy which can be further stocked and transported to where and when there is electric power demand.A high-lighted application in this subject is the biomass steam-gasification to hydrogen production. The steam-gasification aims to rise the biomass energy potential by promoting an endothermic reaction that transfers the solar concentrated energy to the chemical bonds and recombine the atoms in the form of syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide). Besides its great heating value, this product has many applications in chemical industry processes. Thus, this research plans the study of the concepts evolved throughout this process and the modeling of a chemical reactor. Comparing the obtained results to the direct combustion of biomass, it is hoped that a significant power generation gain and carbon dioxide emissions reduction are achieved. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

RIBAS, Vinicius Eduardo. The use of concentrated solar power in the steam-gasification of biomass - design of a solar chemical reactor.. 2016. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP/BC) São Paulo.