International Journal of Sustainable Engineering

ISSN: 1939-7038 (Print) 1939-7046 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tsue20

Evaluation of Brasilia wastewater sludge as a

biomass resource for the production of energy by
gasification simulation

Munique G. Guimarães, Rafael Benjamin Werneburg Evaristo, Nádia A.

Viana, Filipe R. Malafaia, Yuu Itai, Augusto. C. M. Brasil, Julio L. de Macedo &
Grace F. Ghesti

To cite this article: Munique G. Guimarães, Rafael Benjamin Werneburg Evaristo, Nádia A.
Viana, Filipe R. Malafaia, Yuu Itai, Augusto. C. M. Brasil, Julio L. de Macedo & Grace F. Ghesti
(2017): Evaluation of Brasilia wastewater sludge as a biomass resource for the production
of energy by gasification simulation, International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, DOI:
10.1080/19397038.2017.1393025

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19397038.2017.1393025

Published online: 28 Oct 2017.

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 International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, 2017
https://doi.org/10.1080/19397038.2017.1393025

CASE REPORT

Evaluation of Brasilia wastewater sludge as a biomass resource for the production of

energy by gasification simulation
Munique G. Guimarãesa, Rafael Benjamin Werneburg Evaristoa, Nádia A. Vianaa, Filipe R. Malafaiab, Yuu Itaic, Augusto. C.
M. Brasilb, Julio L. de Macedoa and Grace F. Ghestia
a
Laboratório de Bioprocessos Cervejeiros e Catálise Aplicada a Energias Renováveis, Instituto de Química, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brasil;
b
Faculdade UnB Gama, Engenharia de Energia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brasil; cFaculdade de Engenharia Mecânica, Universidade Federal do
Pará, Belém-PA, Brasil
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ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY

This work evaluated the sludge potential of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (ETA) in the city of Brasília Received 29 June 2016
to be used as a fuel by gasification. It is known that ETA sludge is a significant environmental liability, Accepted 25 September 2017
since current legislation restricts its final disposal. For this, the chemical characterisation of ETA sludge
KEYWORDS
was performed by immediate and elemental analysis. No traces of heavy metals were observed, and the Wastewater sludge;
moisture (ω) and ash contents were 31.17 and 51.77%, respectively, different from those already reported bioenergy; gasification
in the literature because the composition depends on the water treatment technology employed. The simulation; residual biomass
gasification process was numerically simulated; once dry, it constitutes a residue with an energy content
(HHV) of 22.4498 MJ kg−1, comparable with other types of biomass currently used for large-scale energy
generation by thermochemical processes (e.g. agricultural residues, wood and sugar cane bagasse). For
the numerical simulation with an equivalence ratio (Φ) near 3, higher concentrations of CO and H2 can only
be achieved with ω lower than 15%. The results showed that gasification can be an attractive option for the
disposal and use of a renewable waste resource, such as ETA sludge, in an environmentally safe way, and it
is allowed by local legislation.

Introduction techniques to the characteristics of the sludge. In addition, to

offer a strategic point of view, a better solution should provide a
The production of wastewater sludge in Brazil is estimated to
set of varied alternatives (Adar et al. 2016).
be between 150 and 220 thousand tons of dry matter per year.
The residual sludge from treatment plants is divided into two
Due to the low rates of sewage collection and treatment in the
categories: wastewater sludge and sewage sludge. Waste treat-
country and societal pressure for better sanitation conditions,
ment of water treatment plants (ETAs) is aimed at reducing the
there is a tendency to substantially increase the amount of sludge
moisture content to increase the concentration of formed solids
to be disposed of in the environment in the next decades. The
to obtain a suitable residue for a final disposal of landfills. This
Brazilian urban population is estimated at 200 million inhab-
residual biomass is the result of the decantation phase and yard
itants; however, only 35 million have access to waste services,
cleaning residues. The banks are sent to the drying beds and after
which, totally treated, yields a production of 325–473 thousand
dehydration, are approved for soil treatment, cement manufac-
tons per year of residual sludge, an amount expected to increase
turing, commercial grass and composting (Boscov 2008).
with the increase in basic sanitation systems (Borges, Stellin, and
Inadequate disposal of sludge has contributed to the dete-
Medeiros 2008; Sena et al. 2008).
rioration of water quality by increasing the amount of solids,
The Water and Sewage Company of Brasília (CAESB), respon-
colour, turbidity, aluminium concentration and silting of bodies
sible for the treatment of this waste, produces 30 tons of dry
of water. In addition, the pH of water bodies has been reduced
mud daily from the wastewater treatment process produced by
due to the solubilisation of metals contained in the sludge. Other
approximately 3 million inhabitants (Law 2416 of 6 July 1999)
effects include the release of odours by the presence of algae,
(CAESB 2017). Currently, part of the waste produced in ETAs
reduction in dissolved oxygen content and increased chronic
is destined for degraded recovery areas, and a great majority is
toxicity to aquatic organisms because of the impediment of sun-
destined for landfills (Reatto et al. 1999).
light penetration and visual impact. Providing proper treatment
To allow the design of suitable alternatives to the Federal
to this waste is extremely important to ensure the sustainability
District, it is necessary to conduct studies that combine the
of the process and effluent recycling (Chao, Yabroudi, and Morita
knowledge of the application requirements of available treatment
2011).

CONTACT  Grace F. Ghesti  grace@unb.br, ghesti.grace@gmail.com

© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
 2   M. G. GUIMARÃES ET AL.

The treatment operations aim to obtain sludge suitable for a better understanding of bed stratification, including the inter-
subsequent use or disposal with minimum cost, since costs with faces of drying, pyrolysis and carbonisation, to obtain a synthesis
transportation and final disposal are high. The low concentration gas with higher calorific value and better performance.
of solids (2–3%) and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms,
some traces of heavy metals, organic pollutants and organic mat-
Materials and methods
ter with a high degree of biodegradability (in the case of aerobic
sludge) are the main problems that must be administered and Biomass origin
resolved. There is also an increase in the difficulty in complying
Anaerobically digested wastewater sludge from the ETA of
with the emission standards required by the legislation and the
Brasília city was studied. Samples of wet sludge (approximately
logistics involved in the disposal of sludge. Thus, sludge man-
20wt % of total solids) were previously dehydrated and naturally
agement policy should aim at reducing the quantity produced
dried at the Sludge Processing Unit (SLP) of CAESB.
and producing a safe and sanitary adequate material with the
application of reuse options of this waste, instead of simple dis-
posal in landfills (Spinosa 2011). Characterisation
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Several studies have evaluated new methods of eliminating

Immediate analysis
ETA sludge to minimise and offer an alternative to its disposal.
The moisture matter contents were determined according to the
Several technologies can be employed in the use of residual
methodology described in Standard Methods for the Examination
sludge, including combustion, pyrolysis, gasification and wet
of Water and Wastewater (SMEWW). Prior to chemical charac-
oxidation (Valix, Katyal, and Cheung 2017).
terisation, with the exception of the moisture analysis, the sludge
Gasification may be an alternative management option to
samples were dried at 105 °C for 24 h (McKendry 2002).
conventional waste disposal (agricultural use, landfilling, incin-
For the production of ashes, the sludge was heated in a muffle
eration, among others) due to its capacity to use various biomass
furnace (EDG, model 3P-S) under air at 800 °C for 8 h.
forms and obtain a high added value product (Ruiz et al. 2013).
Due to the complex chemical reactions in a gasifier reactor,
Elemental analysis
the development of mathematical models is necessary to explore
These analyses provided the fractions by weight of the main ele-
the different conditions and main input variables in the gasifica-
ments that compose the biomass. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and
tion process (Puig-Arnavat, Bruno, and Coronas 2010). Altafini,
hydrogen (H) were determined in a PerkinElmer 2400 Series
Wander, and Barreto (2003) reported mathematical simulations
II CHN Elemental Analysis equipment. The other components
for a fixed bed downdraft gasifier using sawdust (wood waste) as
were determined using a Shimadzu X-ray fluorescence (XRF)
biomass. The equilibrium model used in the simulation, based
spectrometer (model EDX 720) with a Rhodium tube as an X-ray
on minimisation of the Gibbs free energy, was able to confirm
source. Oxygen (O) was calculated from the results obtained
that the equilibrium was displaced for CO and H2 at high tem-
from CHN and XRF/EDX.
peratures, but at low temperatures, the equilibrium was displaced
for CH4 formation. Jayah et al. (2003) used experimental data
Higher heating value
obtained in a gasifier reactor operating under different parame-
The higher heating value (HHV) of biomass can be calculated
ters to calibrate a computer program and investigate the effect of
by several empirical functions. In this work, the HHV of waste-
these parameters on conversion efficiency. The authors observed
water sludge was measured using a calorimeter IKE WERKE
that moisture content and heat loss were the main parameters
C2000 and compared to the HHVs calculated from Sheng et
affecting the gasifier temperature and, consequently, the con-
al. of different biomasses (e.g. agricultural residues, wood and
version efficiency.
sugar cane bagasse) (Sheng and Azevedo 2005). They proposed
For the purpose of the numerical simulation developed in the
a formula based (Equation 1) on the ultimate analysis, which is
present work focused on gasification, the simulation was based
generally more accurate than those based on proximate analysis.
on the use of a fixed bed reactor with four well-defined processes
Therefore, the weight per cent of C, H and O obtained from the
in stratified zones along the bed: drying, pyrolysis, oxidation
ultimate analysis were input to the following:
and reduction. This study was opted for a simpler reactor for
decentralised power generation of easy operation and with an HHV = −1.3675 + 0.3137C + 0.7009H + 0.0318O (1)
integral working regime (Yucel and Hastaoglu 2016).
where O is the sum of oxygen and other species (Cl, P, F and S
Even though the simulations or mathematical models of a
in this case).
gasifier do not provide a better prediction and precision of its
performance, they can be a qualitative guide of the influence
of the design, operation and thermophysical properties of the Numerical simulation
biomass in the gasification process. Simulations allow the project
The zero-dimensional modelling (0D) can be explained in three
or engineer to optimise an operation or plant design using exper-
parts. The first part consists of the theoretical development of the
imental data available for a power plant with gasification systems.
hypotheses considered, the calculations and the equations used
The main objective of this work is the simulation of gasifica-
in the program. The next step is the flowchart and the definition
tion in a small fixed bed reactor using wastewater sludge as the
of input variables and those to be calculated, as well as the out-
source of the station ETA, which is the object of this case study,
put variables. The latter consists of the equations, which will be
with the aim to design a gasifier in the unit. For this, the 0D
models of the FORTRAM program were employed to promote
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING   3

rewritten according to the chosen programming language, in this For the water gas shift reaction of Equation (11), the equilibrium
case, Compaq Visual Studio FORTRAN version 6.5. constant k2 is a function of the molar composition of the gas as
The following items will describe the steps and considerations follows:
made to create the simulation program used to determine gas )−2
product composition, gas temperature and the energy efficiency 𝛼5 × 𝛼4 ∕ 𝛼2 × 𝛼33 × Np2 × P∕Pref (11)
( ) (
k2 =
of biomass gasification.
The composition of the gas produced is based on chemical where Np is the number of moles in the products, P the pressure
equilibrium between the different species. The global reaction and Pref is the reference pressure.
(Equation 2) used in the simulation code is The values of the equilibrium constants k1 and k2 were cal-
Cx Hy Oz Nw + 𝛼H2 O + 𝛽(O2 + 3, 76N2 ) → 𝛼1 CO2 culated from the Gibbs free energy, ΔGn (Equations 11 and 12),
(2) according to
+ 𝛼2 CO + 𝛼3 H2 + 𝛼4 H2 O + 𝛼5 CH4 + 𝛼6 N2
ΔGn = −Ru × Tp × lnkn (12)
where x, y, z, w and v are the molar fractions of C, H, O, N and
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S in the equivalent composition of a dry biomass, respectively.

It was assumed that the reactions are at thermodynamic equi-
ΔG◦ n = ΔH ◦ − T × ΔS◦ (13)
librium. The balance of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen where Ru is the universal gas constant, T is the temperature, H
results in the following Equations (3) (carbon), (4) (hydrogen), is the enthalpy and S is the entropy.
(5) (oxygen) and (6) (nitrogen): The temperature considered for the simulation was detailed
and well described in the numerical proceedings reported by Itai
x = 𝛼1 + 𝛼2 + 𝛼5 (3) et al. (2014). The gasification temperature is not defined, but it
is calculated by the adiabatic reaction temperature determined
y + 2𝛼 = 2𝛼3 + 2𝛼4 + 4𝛼5 (4) by the steady-state integral energy conservation equation, since
the work produced is zero and the heat loss small during the
z + 𝛼 + 2𝛽 = 2𝛼1 + 𝛼2 + 𝛼4 (5) gasification process.
Once the equilibrium constants are defined, a system of equa-
w + 4.76 × 𝛽 = 2 × 3.76 × 𝛼6 (6) tions was obtained and solved using the EES Solver 7.492 ver-
During the gasifying process, 20–40% of stoichiometric air is sion, developed by Klein (1993). EES uses a variant of Newton’s
used, but the present numerical simulation assumed that the method to solve systems of nonlinear algebraic equations. The
resulting syngas has no oxygen, since the equivalence ratio (Φ) Jacobian matrix required in Newton’s method is evaluated
is expected to be high, see Equation (7). numerically at each interaction.
(A∕F)S
Φ = (7) Results and discussion
(A∕F)
This results in having only four equations to calculate six varia- One of the major problems presented by ETA sludge is the lack
bles. Additionally, in the reduction zone of the gasifier, the hydro- of knowledge about the characteristics of the solids present in
gen is reduced to methane by carbon (Equation 8). Therefore, the sludge, such as particle size and distribution, specific resist-
ance, compressibility, pickup water quality (due to turbidity or
C(s) + 2H2(g) ⇌ CH4(g) (8) solids concentration), the treatment technology employed and
Assuming a low working pressure (1 atmosphere) of the gasifier the manner in which the ETAs are operated (Cornwell 2006).
and that the syngas behaves as an ideal gas, the equilibrium con- Table 1 shows the composition of wastewater sludge determined
stant k1 for the reaction of Equation (9) depends on the molar by CHN, XRF/EDX and immediate analyses.
composition:
k1 = (𝛼1 × 𝛼3 )∕(𝛼2 × 𝛼4 ) (9) Immediate analysis
The equilibrium between CO and H2 (Equation 10) in the pres- According to Fortes et al. (2008), ETA sludge is 95–99.5% water.
ence of water was simulated by the water gas shift reaction: The moisture content of the waste directly affects the operation
of the gasification reactor and the quality of the gas produced.
CO(g) + H2 O(g) ⇌ CO2(g) + H2(g) . (10) According to Knoef (2005), for gasification tests, using a fixed
bed reactor is advisable for several biomasses if the moisture
Table 1. Ultimate analysis and ash composition of wastewater sludge determined content is up to 25%.
by CHN, XRF/EDX and immediate analyses. Biological sludge in natura has high moisture content (90%);
Sludge wastewater Content (%) therefore, it is essential to dry it beforehand to enable its energy
Ashes 51.77 use since a high humidity implies a low calorific value. It is
Moisture 31.71 known that ETA sludge, after the homogenisation from the treat-
H 13.95
C 36.22
ment and the technology employed, has a moisture content of
N 7.75 31.17%. Avelar (2012) obtained a moisture content of 8.2% of
O 42.10 biological sludge from a textile industry after outdoor drying.
C/H 2.60
C/N 4.67
Ongen, Ozcan, and Ozbas (2016) characterised the wastewater
 4   M. G. GUIMARÃES ET AL.
sludge collected from the textile industry located in Istanbul,
Turkey, presenting moisture content of 72%, and Andrade et al.
(2016) characterised ETA sludge from Curitiba, Brazil, present-
ing moisture content of 86%.
For all types of sludge mentioned, the moisture content
exceeds 25%, which shows that this high value makes it difficult
to ignite, and reduces the HHV of the gas generated by the gasifi-
cation process, in addition to the capacity of incomplete cracking
of the hydrocarbons produced in the pyrolysis zone. Therefore,
a longer drying time, an ambient temperature and a reduction
in the temperature in the combustion range are recommended
(McKendry 2002; Zhang et al. 2014).
Considering the above method, higher moisture content in
the biomass more energy is required to start the burning process,
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thus the fuel consumption increases to vaporise the water and
less energy is supplied to the endothermic reaction (burning),
since the calorific value is reduced (Dennis et al. 2005).
The ash content of the ETA sludge was 51.77%, as shown in
Table 1, which is high compared to most of the biomass forms
studied for energy generation; for example, Avelar (2012) found
a value of 11.8%, which is lower than that found in this study,
based on the value of the coagulating agent used in the treatment.
If not in acceptable quantities, ashes from burning biomass
create serious problems for the gasifier operation. The high ash
content leads to a decrease in efficiency due to increased oxy-
gen consumption to melt the ashes, reducing heat and damag-
ing heat transfer, and causing clogging and scale build-up on
the equipment (Warhurst et al. 1997; Erol, Haykiri-Acma, and
Küçükbayrak 2010).
To perform technical feasibility studies on the use of ETA
sludge for the generation of energy, it is necessary to know its
composition in terms of carbon and hydrogen, and the quantifi-
cation of the nitrogen content is used to estimate the amount of
NOx gas, which may be generated in the burning process (Avelar
2012).
According to Sheng and Azevedo (2005), it is possible to group
two properties: C, H, N and O content and calorific value. The
correlations proposed by the authors and the references cited in
their work can be used for calculating the calorific value through
immediate and elementary analysis of biomass. After develop-
ing a statistical study based on a large sample of biomass data
collected from the available literature, it was found that the cor-
relations based on the elemental analysis data are more accurate
in the results. Correlations based on the immediate analysis are
less accurate because it provides only an empirical composition
of the biomass.
For Levandowski and Kalkreuth (2009), most of the impuri-
ties found in ETA sludge are inorganic nature (sand and clays),
and the organic part consists of humic substances. The final
Table 2. Ash composition obtained by XRF analysis (dry base weight).
Ashes composition Content (%)
SiO2 31.22
Al2O3 26.42
Fe2O3 18.77
P2O5 12.99
CaO 3.79
K2O 1.91
SO3 1.90
analysis obtained by the techniques of CHN and X-ray fluores-
cence (XRF) determined the percentage by weight of carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen (dry basis) and the composition
of sludge ash. The results of the final analysis and ash content are
presented in Table 1.
The mean values of C, H, N and O in ETA sludge were evalu-
ated at 36.22, 13.95, 7.75 and 42.10%, respectively. Avelar (2012)
verified levels of carbon (46.7%), hydrogen (6.54%), nitrogen
(6.19%) and oxygen (27.5%) of sludge from the textile industry.
According to the author, the differences are due to the intrinsic
characteristics of each sludge treatment process.
The main constituents of the residual sludge are C and O,
with low values in H. In addition, these contents, together with
the moisture and ash contents, directly influence the amount of
heat generated, being that the higher these percentages are, the
slower the fuel will burn. Because of the high moisture and ash
contents, a reduction in heat is expected, which impairs heat
transfer and causes clogging and scale build-up on the equipment
(Levandowski and Kalkreuth 2009).
Considering the C and H contents, the higher the amount of
these components existing in the biomass used for power genera-
tion, the higher the ignition and power are, since greater heating
can occur due to the higher carbon–hydrogen concentration. In
addition, the C/H ratio shown in Table 1 indicates that a higher
ratio yields greater energy production because it increases the
degree of aromaticity of the material (Salazar 2006; Munalula
and Meincken 2009).
According to Salazar (2006), the ideal C/N ratio for the begin-
ning of biodegradation in a composting system is 30/1, in which
case, microorganisms will more easily attack the materials lead-
ing to a more rapid degradation compared to materials with high
C/N ratios.
According to Munalula and Meincken (2009), biomass with
high levels of N is undesirable for energy generation because N
does not contribute to the elevation of PCS and, in addition, can
cause damage to the environment, such as the formation of toxic
nitrogen oxides and nitric acid.
Elemental analysis
The composition obtained from the wastewater sludge ash after
heat treatment using the elemental analysis technique (XRF) is
presented in Table 2.
The chemical composition of ETA sludge showed high con-
centrations in the ash after heat treatment, aluminium, silicon
and iron oxides. Similar results were observed by other authors
(Hoppen et al. 2005; Andrade et al. 2016).
Silicon presented a higher concentration since it is present
in the residues from the soil of Brasília, mainly in the form of
silicates. Aluminium and iron are also present in ferric sulphate
and polyaluminium chloride, which are used as coagulants in the
treatment plant, based on the concentration of total suspended
solids of the raw water, the coagulated water and the coagulant
dosage values. Since the coagulant recovery process occurs at
room temperature and close to the stoichiometric acid addi-
tions, most of the aluminium oxides associated with the solids
presented in the raw water are not dissolved. Therefore, 100%
extraction of the total concentrations of aluminium and iron
present in the sludge can occur, as it is not possible to completely

recover all of the coagulant added in the treatment, which gen-
erally does not indicate a precarious performance (Letterman
1999; Strehler 2000).
Higher heating value
The HHV of ETA sludge estimated from Equation 1 was
22.45 MJ kg−1. This value is comparable to that obtained by other
researchers in studies on the use of residual sludge, including
Borges, Stellin, and Medeiros (2008) value of 20.10 MJ kg−1 and
Andrade et al.’s (2016) value of 20.10 MJ kg−1 for textile sludge.
The value found here showed a higher calorific value, probably
due to the higher carbon and hydrogen contents. It was also sim-
ilar to other residues already used for the production of energy
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through gasification, such as Eucalyptus sp. (18.95 MJ kg−1), rice
husk (15.62  MJ  kg−1) and sugarcane bagasse (15.49  MJ  kg−1),
according to Quirino (2012).
This property has great importance, especially with respect
to the use of biomass residues as a source of energy, replacing
petroleum-derived fuels and energy use.
Simulation of wastewater sludge
First, tests were conducted to validate the developed program
that considers the chemical equilibrium of the reactions involved
in the thermochemical processes.
Thus, we first conducted comparative studies of the results
obtained by other authors with the results obtained by this pro-
gram generated in FORTRAN. Two studies were chosen, namely
Altafini, Wander, and Barreto (2003) and Jayah et al. (2003), to
show the parameters considered for a comparative simulation
between the data obtained here and those of the literature, as
shown in Tables 3 and 4.
It is observed that the values presented in Tables 3 and 4,
when compared to the concentration values of other models of
the literature within the chemical equilibrium, are shown within
the expected range.
The numerical comparison of the present model with the
models of Jayah et al. (2003) and Altafini, Wander, and Barreto
(2003) resulted in small discrepancies in results, since the exper-
imental values for Jayah et al. (15.58% for CO, 12.75% for H2,
1.16% for CH4 and 11.4% for CO2) were different from those
simulated here (18.3% For CO, 16.4% for H2, 1.1% for CH4 and
11.1% for CO2.). For Altafini et al., the experimental values
(20.55% for CO, 15.38% for H2, 0.00% for CH4 and 8.59% for
CO2) were also different from the simulated ones (19.70% for CO,
Table 3.  Parameters obtained by Jayah et al. (2003) and Altafini, Wander, and
Barreto (2003), which were used as input into the program for the simulation.
Elemental analysis (wt Altafini, Wander, and
% d.m.) Jayah et al. (2003) Barreto (2003)
C 50.6 52.0
H 6.5 6.1
N 0.2 0.3
O 42.7 41.7
Moisture (%) 14.7 10.0
HHV (MJ kg−1) 19.6 20.4
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING   5
20.60% for H2, 0.61% for CH4 and 10.15% for CO2). CH4 was not
simulated by Altafini, Wander, and Barreto (2003).
When compared to the experimental results, this study pre-
sented a discrepancy in the values obtained in comparison with
the numerical values found by the authors. However, the values
obtained are acceptable for the 0D model in the prediction of
the phenomenon of fixed bed gasification.
The present model 0D shows suitable results for the dry gas
composition according to the calorific value of the gas. Once the
model was validated, parametric studies were performed on the
compositional curves of the produced gases and their variation
with the equivalence ratio, and once the optimal equivalence
ratio was found, analysis of the variation of the composition of
the gases with the moisture content was conducted.
Parametric study of wastewater sludge
Numerical results for the syngas composition are presented in
Figures 1–3. The molar concentrations of CO, H2 and CH4 are
shown in Figures 1–3, where the molar concentration is a func-
tion of the equivalence ratio Φ and moisture content ω.
Figure 1 shows the numerical results of the molar concen-
tration of CO as a function of the equivalence ratio (Φ) and the
moisture content (ω). Carbon monoxide is a very good indicator
for the gasification and is also useful as a gaseous fuel. Therefore,
high CO concentrations are desired in gasification systems. For
the entire range of equivalence ratios, CO concentrations from
8 up to 12% are achieved only with moisture content below 30%.
However, gasification reactions occur for Φ near 3, and CO con-
centrations higher than 10% can only be achieved with moisture
content lower than 15%. Again, as stated previously, it is difficult
to decrease the moisture content of sewage sludge to values as
low as 15%, and a compromise of CO concentrations is required.
Figure 2 shows the numerical results for the molar concen-
tration of H2 as a function of the equivalence ratio Φ and the
moisture content ω. Hydrogen is a gaseous fuel that is essential
from an energy point of view. Although gasification systems are
not used specifically for H2 production, this gas can be stored to
be used in fuel cells. With this in mind, high concentrations of
H2 can be required in the gasification process for future use. For
the entire range of equivalence ratios, H2 concentrations from 25
up to 30% are achieved with moisture content below 35% and Φ
above 3. For gasification reactions with Φ near 3, similar to that
observed for CO, higher H2 concentrations can only be achieved
with moisture content lower than 15%.
Figure 3 shows the numerical results of the molar concen-
tration of CH4 as a function of the equivalence ratio Φ and the
moisture content ω. Methane is a gaseous fuel that is necessary
from an energy point of view. However, the maximisation of
CH4 concentrations is in the range of higher Φ, which is in the
pyrolysis reaction zone. Therefore, high concentrations of CH4
are achieved as far as the reaction is from the gasification process.
In Figure 3, in contrast to CO and H2, higher moisture contents
and equivalence ratios yield higher CH4 concentrations. Even
considering that the maximisation of CO and H2 is achieved
for lower ω, for gasification reactions with Φ near 3, only CH4
concentrations as low as 1% can be achieved.
 6   M. G. GUIMARÃES ET AL.

Table 4. Simulation results in comparison with results from the literature.

Simulated by Altafini, Wander,

Dry gas composition (%, v/v) Simulated by Jayah et al. (2003) Simulated in this work and Barreto (2003) Simulated in this work
CO 18.3 19.1 19.7 20.4
H2 16.4 15.5 20.6 15.4
N2 53.2 49.0 50.1 46.5
CO2 11.1 10.0 10.2 8.6
CH4 1.1 1.2 0.0 0.6
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Figure 1. Molar concentration of CO as a function of Φ and ω.

Figure 2. Molar concentration of H2 as a function of Φ and ω.

Figure 3. Molar concentration of CH4 as a function of Φ and ω.


Conclusions
These results allow us to conclude that gasification may be an
attractive option for the disposal and use of a renewable waste
resource such as ETA sludge in an economical and environmen-
tally safe manner, since there are no traces of heavy metals, and
the final ash of the process does not present a pathogenic risk
and can be used for agricultural purposes. The elemental anal-
ysis and HHV showed significant results since the gasification
process performs well in generated energy systems. According
to the moisture content, i.e. higher than 30%, the best gasifica-
tion reactor should be used in the upstream fixed bed gasifier
reactor because the dehydration process must occur before the
pyrolysis zone. The numerical simulation showed that for the
entire range of equivalence, CO concentrations between 8 and
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12% are only achieved with a moisture content of less than 30%.
For gasification reactions with Φ close to 3, higher concentra-
tions can be achieved with a moisture content of less than 15%;
considering that the maximisation of CO and H2 is substantially
reduced by lower ω, CH4 concentrations may be as low as 1%.
Parametric studies were also conducted, and the best operating
range was obtained for variations in the ratio of equivalence and
moisture content for the biomass studied. It was concluded that
for the studied gaseous species produced, the moisture content
should be below 30%. Therefore, a previous drying stage, which
may occur in an outdoor environment, is recommended. For
more satisfactory results and gases with higher calorific value,
an equivalence ratio in the range of 2.8–3.1 is the most suitable
for the generation of energy.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Munique Gonçalves Guimarães has bachelor's degree in Technological
Chemistry from the University of Brasília (2015), master's degree in
Chemistry from the University of Brasília (2017) and, in progress, a PhD
in Chemical and Biological Technologies from the University of Brasília.
She has experience in chemistry, numerical gasification biomass, biomass
characterization, gas chromatography (CG-MS and CG-TCD), biofuels
and bioenergy.
Rafael Benjamin Werneburg Evaristo has bachelor's degree in
Technological Chemistry from the University of Brasília (2017). Actually,
he has been studying master's degree in the Post-Graduate Program in
Chemistry (2017), in the Laboratory of Bioprocesses Brewing Technology
and Catalysis Applied to Renewable Energies (LaBCCERva) - IQ / UnB.
It acts in the development of catalysts derived from natural organic com-
pounds for the production of biodiesel, by-products of the biomass gas-
ification process, thermo-chemical processes, biomass conversion, waste
from the brewing industry and agro-industrial waste.
Nádia Alves Viana has a degree in Forestry Engineering from the University
of Brasília (2011) and has master's degree in Chemical and Biological
Technologies (focus: Bioenergy) at the Chemical Institute, University of
Brasília. She has experience in the field of feasibility analysis of forest seeds
and also in the area of gasification technology for the production of energy
from renewable resources.
Filipe Rodrigues Malafaia has degree in Energy Engineering from the
University of Brasília (2013). He has participated as a researcher in some
projects related to biomass (sludge), biodiesel (reaction of transester-
ification and esterification) and heterogeneous catalysts (preparation
and characterization). Actually, he has been working with alternative
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING   7
energy projects (SOLAR), SPDA and electric project in the Infrastructure
Department of the State of Tocantins, Brazil.
Yuu Itai has bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University
of Pará, Brazil. She has experience in Mechanical Engineering, with
emphasis in Fluid Mechanics, mainly in numerical simulation, secondary
flows and turbulent flows.
Augusto César de Mendonça Brasil is an associate profesor and director
in the Gama Faculty, University of Brasilia. He is a leader of the research
group of numerical simulation of biomass gasification. He worked for 10
years in the Federal University of Pará, Brazil. He had published 13 man-
uscripts in international journals, more than 35 presentations in interna-
tional and national conferences.
Julio Lemos de Macedo is an adjunct professor in the Chemical Institute,
University of Brasilia and productivity researcher by CNPq. He is a leader
of the research group of New Materials Group for Sustainable Chemical.
He had published 33 manuscripts in international journals, more than 100
presentations in international and national conferences, 4 patents and pub-
lished 1 book.
Grace Ferreira Ghesti is an associate professor in the Chemical Institute,
University of Brasilia. Responsible for the Innovation Management and
Technology Transfer of the Technological Development Center of the
University of Brasília (CDT / UnB). Coordinator of the Post-Graduate
Program in Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer for Innovation
- PROFNIT - University of Brasília. She is a leader of the research group
of Bioprocesses Brewing Technology and Catalysis applied to Renewable
Energies - LaBCCERVA / IQ / UnB. She had published 20 manuscripts in
international journals, more than 100 presentations in international and
national conferences, 2 patents and published 7 books.
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