Development of a Thermophysical Properties Model for Flowsheet Simulation of Biomass Pyrolysis Processes

A properties model was developed for use in commercial process simulators to model pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. The component list was chosen to enable process simulations based on a recently published lumped pyrolysis kinetics model. Since many of the compounds involved in pyrolysis are not found in simulator databanks, estimation based on available literature data was used to establish missing parameters. Standard solid enthalpy of formation, solid heat capacity, and solid density estimates calculated from the limited experimental data available were prepared for six biomass constituents and nine intermediate and end-products of their pyrolysis. Ideal gas enthalpy of formation and heat capacity, critical property, and vapor pressure estimates were prepared for another four pyrolysis end-products and one biomass component. The estimates were all validated against the closest available experimental data in the literature. The addition of these new components and properties allows thermodynamically rigorous simulation of lumped biomass pyrolysis reactions with accurate energy balances. Enthalpies of reaction calculated from the properties model were compared with reported reaction enthalpies for the same lumped biomass pyrolysis reactions and found to be in general agreement.