Recommended prerequisite for participation in the module

The module adds to the knowledge obtained in Heat transfer; Fundamentals of CFD; Combustion theory; Fluid mechanics.

Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Learning objectives

Knowledge

• Understand solid biomass feedstock: Fuel characterisation, thermochemical conversion and the various sub-processes, heat and mass transfer in biomass thermochemical conversion
• Understand radiation heat transfer without participating medium: Fundamentals, view factors, surface resistance and space resistance, network method
• Understand radiation heat transfer with participating medium: Radiative properties of gas mixture, radiative transfer equation, modelling of radiative heat transfer
• Have knowledge about biomass gasification and combustion on particle scale: Time scale analysis, ignition mechanisms, reactions of gasification, regimes of char reactions, modelling of biomass particle conversion
• Have knowledge about biomass gasification on reactor scale: Principles, key factors, types of gasifiers and their key characteristics, gasifier design, success stories of biomass gasification
• Have knowledge about suspension-firing of biomass: NOx control by combustion, different arrangements of suspension-firing, modelling of suspension-firing – overview and specific issues, case studies
• Have knowledge about grate-firing of biomass: Key components in grate boilers, breakthrough, potential problems and solutions, modelling of grate-firing – general strategy and examples

Skills

• Be able to identify the appropriate utilisation technology for a given biomass based on its properties
• Understand thermal radiation heat transfer, various applications, and advanced modelling of radiation heat transfer without and with participating medium
• Understand the mechanisms and the key issues in biomass gasification and the modelling
• Understand the key sub-processes in biomass combustion and various key biomass combustion technologies (their advantages and disadvantages, and modelling strategies)
• Be able to developing key sub-models for biomass conversion and implementing them into commercial CFD

Competences

• Have in-depth understanding of all the important issues in biomass gasification and combustion, including combustion physics (e.g., radiative heat transfer, turbulent flow) and combustion chemistry (e.g., pyrolysis, homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions)
• Be able to develop sub-models and codes for the key, special processes in biomass gasification and combustion process and ability to perform a reliable CFD of biomass gasifier and combustor

Type of instruction

Lectures in combination with tutorials, assignments,  hands-on, and e-learning activities.

Extent and expected workload

Since it is a 5 ECTS course module, the work load is expected to be 150 hours for the student.

Exam

Exams

Name of exam	Biomass Gasification, Combustion and their Advanced Modelling
Type of exam	Oral exam
ECTS	5
Assessment	7-point grading scale
Type of grading	Internal examination
Criteria of assessment	The criteria of assessment are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures