Overview of Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Reactor-Scale Biomass Pyrolysis

Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been widely used in both scientific studies and industrial applications of reactor-scale biomass pyrolysis. In this Perspective, the state-of-the-art progress in CFD modeling of reactor-scale biomass pyrolysis was summarized and discussed. First, because of the importance of biomass pyrolysis reaction kinetics to the predictability of CFD, the commonly used pyrolysis reaction kinetics in CFD modeling of reactor-scale biomass pyrolysis were reviewed. The characteristics of each reaction kinetics were described. Then, the theoretical basis and practical applications of three main CFD modeling approaches, i.e., porous media model, multifluid model, and discrete particle model for simulating reactor-scale biomass pyrolysis were presented. The activities and progresses with respect to each CFD modeling approach for reactor-scale biomass pyrolysis were reviewed. Aspects such as experimental validation, modeling speed, and capability were discussed. Finally, the paper was concluded with comments on future directions in CFD modeling of reactor-scale biomass pyrolysis.