Modelling approaches to waste biomass pyrolysis: A review

The article presents an overview on works presenting mathematical models of biomass pyrolysis process. Methodology, assumptions and simplifications were deeply examined, considering also operating conditions and geometry of modelled systems. The aim of this work is to find an appropriate methodology for modelling biomass pyrolysis process by reviewing the methodologies used by other researchers in order to find solutions appropriate for the presented case. The problem of mathematical modelling in the context of engineering applicationsand the necessary assumptions resulting from this were discussed. Mathematical model as an engineering tool must be built with consideration of necessary consensus between the calculations accuracy, calculation time, preparation efforts and analysis requirements. Therefore, in pyrolysis modelling context, the inclusion of chemical reactions and changes of heat transport conditions were considered as priority, while taking into account moisture evaporation and shrinkage of the bed should be conditioned by their influence on the time of calculations and their actual contribution in the calculations accuracy.