Study of biomass combustion characteristics for the development of a catalytic combustor/gasifier

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dc.contributor.authorDody, Joseph W.en
dc.contributor.committeechairJaasma, Dennis R.en
dc.contributor.committeememberLeonard, Robert G.en
dc.contributor.committeememberReinholtz, Charles F.en
dc.contributor.departmentMechanical Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T21:37:39Zen
dc.date.adate2012-06-10en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T21:37:39Zen
dc.date.issued1985-10-05en
dc.date.rdate2012-06-10en
dc.date.sdate2012-06-10en
dc.description.abstractThe research reported here explored, a "new" approach to biomass energy conversion for small-scale process heat-applications. The conversion process uses close-coupled catalytic. combustion to burn combustibles in effluent generated by primary combustion or gasification of biomass fuels. Computer control of primary and secondary air flow rates allow control of the devices output power while maintaining fuel-lean or stoichiometric conditions in the effluent entering the catalytic combustion zone. The intent of the secondary combustion system is to ensure "clean" exhaust (i.e., promote complete combustion). A small-scale combustor/gasifier was built and instrumented. Characteristics of combustion were studied for three biomass fuels so that primary and secondary air flow control strategies could be devised. A bang-bang type controller was devised for primary air flow control. Secondary air as controlled based on feedback signals from an inexpensive automobile exhaust gas oxygen sensor. The control strategies and catalytic combustion were implemented on prototype combustor/gasifier and the device was tested with good results. Power turn down ratios of 4 to 1 and 3 to 1 were achieved. The zitconia-type automobile exhaust gas oxygen sensors adapted well to the combustion environment of biomass fuel, at least for short periods (long term durability tests were not conducted). The secondary air control system was able to maintain fuel-lean flows for the most part and, the secondary combustion system provided reductions of approximately three fourths in carbon monoxide emissions.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.extentxv, 269 leavesen
dc.format.mediumBTDen
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.otheretd-06102012-040156en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-06102012-040156/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/43039en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartLD5655.V855_1985.D629.pdfen
dc.relation.isformatofOCLC# 13320847en
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subject.lccLD5655.V855 1985.D629en
dc.subject.lcshBiomass energy industries -- Equipment and supplies -- Design and constructionen
dc.subject.lcshBiomass energyen
dc.subject.lcshCombustion chambers -- Design and constructionen
dc.subject.lcshCombustionen
dc.titleStudy of biomass combustion characteristics for the development of a catalytic combustor/gasifieren
dc.typeThesisen
dc.type.dcmitypeTexten
thesis.degree.disciplineMechanical Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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