Biomass> (Gasification) > Producer Gas

conversion of solid fuels into combustible gas mixture called producer gas (CO+H2+CH4). Involves partial combustion of biomass

P R I N C I P L E

ER =1

Stoichiometric AIR

COMBUSTION

ER = 0.3 SUB Stoichiometric Air

GASIFICATION

+ +

ER = 0.1 SUB Stoichiometric Air

PYROLYSIS

ER = 0.1 SUB Stoichiometric Air

CARBONISATION

PRINCIPLE

-SIMPLIFIED
Solid Fuels

Excess Air

SubStoichiometric Stoichiometric Air Air

Actual Combustion

Ideal Combustion

Gasification

GASIFICATION PROCESS

HOW OLD

OR

NEW

GASIFICATION TECHNOLOGY IS ?

1839
1st Commercial Gasifier Installed ( updraft )

1920
Oil fuelled systems took over Gasifier

1942

( During 2nd World War )

Thousands of Gasifiers used in Europe

1950
Gasifiers decommissioned

Widespread availability of liquid fuels.

1970s
Energy Crisis brought renewed interest.

2000s
Increased Focus on Biomass Gasification
Regarded as Clean & Green Energy

3 ENGINEERING INDUSTRY

4 PROCESSES IN GASIFICATION

 Moisture
removed Failure inability clean fuel. to

must

be

remove produce

moisture results in the

to

 Occurs when the wood chips are heated without enough oxygen to burn.

Does not begin until the temperature reached about 550 K.

Causes the wood chips to decompose into tar and charcoal. Tars are burned off, leaving charcoal with a high carbon content.

 exothermic

combination

of

hydrocarbons with oxygen.

oxidation temperature of about 14500C main reactions :
C + O2 = CO2 (+ 393 MJ/kg mole) 2H2 + O2 = 2H2 O (- 242 MJ/kg mole)

 Reverts completely combusted hydrocarbons into a form that can be used as fuel. Opposite of combustion processendothermic removal of oxygen from hydrocarbons. Reduction in a gasifier occurs when CO2and water vapor flows through heated charcoal. The heated carbon removes the oxygen from both the CO2 and the H2O.

Types of Gasifier (i) Fixed Bed Gasifier

- up draught gasifier

- downdraught gasifier
- cross draught gasifier

(ii) Fluidized Bed Gasifier

Counter-current fixed bed ("updraft") gasifier

Carbonaceous fuel (e.g. coal or

biomass) through which the

"gasification agent flows in

counter - current configuration.

The ash is either removed dry

or as a slag. Thermal efficiency is high. Gas exit temperatures are low.

U P D R A F T

Fuel

a
G A S

A
I R

Fuel

Producer Gas

Gas space
Drying & Carbonisation Zone
Secondary Reduction Zone C+CO2 = 2CO C + 2 H 2O = CO2 + 2H2 Primary Reduction Zone C+H2O = CO + H2 C + 2 H 2O = C O 2 + 2 H 2 C+CO2 = 2CO

Air

Oxidation Zone Ash

C+O2 = CO2 Zone

Co-current fixed bed ("down draft") gasifier Gasification agent gas flows in

co-current configuration with the fuel. The produced gas leaves the gasifier at a high temperature. Most of this heat is often transferred to the gasification

agent added in the top of the

bed.

D
O

Fuel

W
N

D
R
AIR AIR G

A
F T

A
S

Fuel

D r y i n g Pyrolysis

A i r Oxidation Zone C + O = C O 2 2
Reduction Zone C+H2O = CO + H2 C + 2 H 2O = C O 2 + 2 H 2 C+CO2 = 2CO

Producer Gas

Ash

Zone

G A S I F I C A T I O N

P R O C E S S

CROSS DRAFT GASIFIER

Air enters from one side of gasifier reactor and taken out from other side Simplest gasifier designs

Quick

start

time

and

reaches high temperatures

Pressured air is passed through distributor plate and the velocity of air is progressively increased. To support the entire weight of the bed by the fluid drag on the bed particles. This moving mass of solid particles is called a fluidized bed.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

N o Gasifier Type Advantage Disadvantages

Updraft

Low pressure drop good thermal efficiency little tendency towards slag formation
Flexible adaptation of gas production to load low sensitivity to charcoal dust and tar content of fuel Short design height very fast response time to load flexible gas production

Great sensitivity to tar and moisture content of fuel poor reaction capability with heavy gas load
Design tends to be tall not feasible for very small particle size of fuel

Downdraft -

Crossdraft

Very high sensitivity to slag formation high pressure drop

M O S T C O M M O N L Y U S E D ARE

UD& DD A COMPARISON
Down Draft
Almost T A R F R E E G A S
Suitable for Power Generation

Up Draft
High Gasification
High Moisture Content Fuel can be used. Low Gas Temperature High Tar required for Power Generation

Presence of Ash & Dust Particles Moisture < 1 5 % High Gas Outlet Temperature

Extensive Gas Cleaning Strict in Fuel Sizing

Lower Gasification

Typical Composition of Producer Gas

CO = 1 8 - 2 0 % H2 = 18 - 20%
Calorific Value

CH4 =

2 - 4%

1 000 - 1 200
kcal / nm3 Low Btu Gas

CO2 = 1 0 - 1 2 %

N2

= Rest %

W O O D

WOOD CUT TO SIZE

COCONUT SHELL

BRIQUETTED BIOMASS

Bulk Density :

6 0 0 8 0 0 kg / m

THERMAL

ELECTRICAL

 Thermal Applications Hot Air Generators

Dryers
Boilers Thermic Fluid Heaters

Ovens
Furnaces & Kilns

 Thermal Energy of the order of

HEAT CONTENT

4 . 5 to 5 . 0 M J /
as 1 2 0 0

3 m

Flame temperatures as high

C can be

obtained by optimal pre mixing of air with gas.

BLEACHING

Can Replace Inefficient usage of Firewood

CHEMICAL PRODUCTION

N o

Parameters

Conventional With Gasifier

% Reduction

Sp. Fuel Consumption 1 kg wood / kg

0.41 0.22 46.3

COCOON - COOKING OVEN

N o

Parameters

Conventional

With Gasifier

% Reduction

Sp. Fuel Consumption 1 kg wood / kg cocoon Water Consumption 2 lit / kg cocoon

2.26

1.0

57

3.025 2.16 5 28.4

No

Parameters

Conventional

With Gasifier

% Reduction

Sp. Fuel Consumption kg wood / kg of fabric Water Consumption lit / kg fabric

4.91

2.27

52.4

17.31

13.54

21.8

S
Agricultural Waste

C
Gasification Process

E
Internal Combustion Engine

Producer Gas

Air at High Temperature

Electricity

Alternator

Mechanical Power

 Power Generation:
Pumping and Irrigation Village electrification

Captive power ( industries ) Grid - fed power from energy

plant installed on wastelands

Consumes around

300

kg wood / Body

WHY GASIFICATION ? Clean Technology

(CO2 Neutral )
Green Technology

(Renewable)

Decentralized
Energy Generation