A One-Grid Framework for Anisotropic Reacting Porous Media: Application to Biomass Pyrolysis

This study presents a new computational framework for modelling thermochemical conversion of porous media at the particle scale with a special focus on biomass pyrolysis. The model integrates conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy, with the Volume-Of-Fluid approach, which tracks the interface between the particle and the gaseous environment. Including internal and external transport phenomena, the model enables accurate prediction of the species and temperature profiles inside the porous particle and in the surrounding environment. One of the most significant advancements of this approach is that it can directly resolve the gas phase boundary layer under various flow conditions without relying on sub-gridscale correlations. The performance of the model is tested against experimental data, demonstrating its accuracy and effectiveness as a tool for designing and optimizing biomass conversion processes.