Improvement proposal for the biomass feeding system of the bubbling fluidized bed gasifier at Universidad de Piura

In the present study, a design method based on the VDI 2221 guideline was applied for the improvement of the biomass feeding system of the bubbling fluidized bed gasifier installed at Universidad de Piura. The application of the method focused on the conceptual design phase. The modifications proposed seek to guarantee a continuous and dosed biomass input to the reactor. The new design for the biomass feeding system consists of a screw feeder, a hopper and a rotary valve that doses the biomass according to its rotational speed. The biomass is pushed by the screw feeder to fall through inclined gravity chute and enter the reactor. Functional tests were carried out with coffee husk and bagasse. The improved feeding system presents fewer clogging problems than the initial state and test results are shown in plots relating the system feed rate as a function of rotary valve rotational speed.