Performance analysis of a medium-scale downdraft gasifier using Lantana camera biomass as feeding material

ABSTRACT

Lantana camera

, an invasive weed species, is widely available in different agro-climatic zones of India and has a huge potential in the gasification process. In the present investigation, the fuel properties of Lantana camara stems, e.g. energy value, volatile matter content, ash content, fixed carbon content and elemental detection (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Sulfur and Oxygen analysis) were investigated. In addition, thermo-gravimetric analysis of Lantana camara biomass at different temperatures was also carried out under atmospheric conditions. To explore the gasification characteristics of Lantana camara biomass, a downdraft biomass gasifier is designed and fabricated. The performance of the downdraft gasifier system is examined in terms of equivalence ratio, zone temperatures, heating value, gas yield, gas composition, carbon conversion efficiency, and gasifier efficiency. The gasification experiments were performed using air as an oxidizing agent. The results showed that the gas yield increases with increasing equivalence ratio and the obtained producer gas was composed of about 20–22% carbon monoxide (CO), 18–20% hydrogen (H₂), 3–5% carbon dioxide (CO₂), 1–4% methane (CH₄), and rest nitrogen (N₂). The higher heating value of producer gas achieved from 5.9 to 7 MJ/Nm³ while lower heating value varied from 5.47 to 6.42 MJ/Nm³. The maximum carbon conversion and thermal efficiency of the present biomass gasifier were observed to be around 46% and 64%, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Lantana biomass
• downdraft gasifier
• producer gas
• performance
• equivalence ratio
• gasification efficiency

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pankaj Kumar Sharma

Pankaj Kumar Sharma is presently working Professor & Associate Dean,Academic Planning & Monitoring University of petroleum and Energy studies, Dehradun, UK, India. He has completed his PhD on biomass gasification technologies. He is expert of biomass gasification technologies and its application for power generations.

Amit Kumar Sharma

Amit Kumar Sharma is working in Biofuel Research Laboratory, Centre of Alternative and Renewable Energy Research in University of petroleum and Energy studies, Dehradun, UK, India. He completed his PhD on microalgae biofuels in 2017. He has worked on bio-hydrogen from waste, biodiesel production, pyrolysis and gasification technologies, catalysts synthesis, waste water treatment, waste to energy and microalgae bio refineries. Recently he is working on biomass conversion technologies for renewable fuels production.

Rose Havilah Pulla

Rose Havilah Pulla is working as Assistant Professor-Selection Grade in the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of petroleum and Energy studies, Dehradun, UK, India. Her research interest is in the area of biomass conversion, natural gas processing, Kinetic molding and gasification technologies. She is currently working in the area of conversion of synthesis gas to liquids fuels.

Pradeepta Kumar Sahoo

Pradeepta Kumar Sahoo is presently working as associate professor in Department of Farm Machinery & Power,College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology (CAET),Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT), Govt. of Odisha, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India–751003. Prior to this, he was the head of Centre of Alternative and Renewable Energy Research in University of petroleum and Energy studies, Dehradun, UK, India. He is expert of biofuel production technologies and its application in CI engines.