Effective utilisation of low-density biomass in a downdraft gasifier

Abstract

Biomass gasification is an option for achieving the objective which could utilise both solid and low-density biomass in an efficient way. Experimental investigations are carried out to utilise three different types of feed stock, namely babul wood, neem wood and mango wood, to arrive at satisfactory performance. The efficacy of a 35kVA rated down draught gasifier was studied in terms of gasifier efficiency, tar content and total particulate matter. The optimum value of equivalence ratio was found to be 0.3134 for maximum gas conversion efficiency. Electrical output readings were observed to be 23.4, 22.17 and 20.4kVA for babul wood, neem wood and mango wood, respectively, with satisfactory performance. With the designed gasifier, significant improvement was achieved with babul wood as compared with other two fuels to generate the electricity.

Keywords:

• gasification
• downdraft gasifier
• producer gas
• gasifier efficiency
• particulate emissions