Development of a Small Scale Biomass Gasifier and Testing of Various Feedstock

Biomass is good source of energy in the field of renewable energy. Conventionally, use of biomass was made for simple firing purposes, for cooking and heating. However, more extensive use of biomass is seen in gasification process that may permit electrical utilities to obtain a portion of their fuel requirements from renewable energy sources. Gasification processes convert biomass into combustible gases. Biomass Gasification is a chemical process that converts biomass into useful convenient gaseous fuels or chemical feedstock. It has emerged as a promising technology to fulfill the increasing energy demands of the world, as well as to reduce significantly the volume of biomass waste generated in developing societies [1]. Maize cones, Maize steam, Pine needle and Cones, Hog Plum Seeds, Furniture Waste, Sugarcane Waste, etc. which has no food value can be used to produce syngas. Maize cones, Pine cones, Hog Plum seeds are compact and need no fuel modification while Pine Needles need to be modified because of its low density. Maize Steam, Furniture wastes and Sugarcane wastes may or may not require fuel modifications. For this academic research, three different fuels corncobs, sugarcane residue and wood had been selected. Proximate analysis was done at National Product Research laboratory, Kathmandu and syngas composition and temperature were found by experimental setup on 12 KW downdraft gasification systems, manufactured at Gasifier Engine Research Laboratory of Kathmandu University.