Mathematical modelling of catalytic combustors fuelled by gasified biomasses

Catalytic combustion of low heating value (LHV) fuels from gasification of biomasses has attracted attention in recent years in order to reduce net CO 2 emissions in the atmosphere. A European project, ULECAT, has been underta ken to investigate this matter along with combustion of diesel fuel since 1 996. This paper describes part of the work performed in the mathematical mo delling task of this project in connection with the analysis of atmospheric pilot scale experiments. Simulation results obtained with a single channel 2D model of the monolith catalyst are presented and compared with experimental results obtained in a n atmospheric pilot scale facility. From this analysis a quantitative descr iption of the role of the different governing phenomena in determining the combustor performance is derived and discussed to provide insight into the catalyst behaviour under severe conditions. The most critical parameters in the simulations are also identified and discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.