Thermodynamics Simulation of Ethanol Synthesis via Biomass Gasification

Abstract

Based on Aspen Plus software platform, a simulation of ethanol synthesis from biomass-derived synthesis gas processed on the assumption of both physical and thermodynamic equilibrium. The influences of these conditions such as temperature, reactor pressure and the H2 to (CO+CO2) mole ratio in the feed gas on CO and CO2 conversion and ethanol yield were investigated. The results showed that reaction temperature, pressure and synthesis gas composition have the most important effect on ethanol synthesis behavior. In this process, low temperature and high pressure would be advantageous for ethanol production.