Abstract
The free simulator COCO has been applied for the study of the gasification of biomass. A Matlab unit operation was included in the model to enable the calculation of equilibrium heterogeneous reactions. The validity of the model has been confirmed by comparing its results with experimental data using sunflower husk as feedstock. Once validated, the model has been applied to the study of the gasification of pruning of apple trees. The influence of excess air and temperature on the efficiency of the process has been analysed. Overall, the model is found to operate stably and consistently over gasification of biomass reactions. The model represents a quick and effective tool to assess the effect of the modification of a variable and its impact on the overall gasification process in an efficient and costless way. © 2018 ETA-Florence Renewable Energies.