Biomass gasification technology - a route to meet energy needs

Abstract

The paper addresses a distributed power generation system that has evolved at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The technological and field-related experience pertaining to open top re-burn down draft biomass gasification system coupled with the internal combustion engine or thermal device are brought out. The gasifier reactor design uses dual air entry - air nozzles and open top to help in establishing a thick high temperature zone to remove the contaminants in the product gas; a gas clean-up system to further refine the gas to ultra-pure quality. These elements are integrated with other sub-systems, namely feedstock preparation, ash handling, water treatment, process automation and other accessories to form an Independent Power Producer. Based on this technology there are over 30 units operating in India and abroad, with an accumulated capacity of over 20 MW. Over 80,000 h of operation of these systems have resulted in a saving of about 350 tons of fossil fuel, implying a saving of about 1120 tons of CO₂ - a promising candidate for Clean Development Mechanisms (CDMs), other than reduction in toxic gases like NO_x and SO_x.