1

ecMee 1&c~cLccv ecMee 1&c~cLccv ecMee 1&c~cLccv ecMee 1&c~cLccv

5umer 5umer 5umer 5umer . 0rbude . 0rbude . 0rbude . 0rbude

ABSTRACT

The World is facing grave problems energv crisis, environment pollution. This made peoples to
focus their attentions on the sustainable energv resources. Biomass Technologv is a right option in
this regard, because of its renewable, abundant, environment friendlv nature, etc.
Available Literature shows that there are various biomass conversion technologies available
such as biogas formation, briquetting, pvrolvsis, direct combustion and Gasification. Because of
relative advantages associated with Gasification, the biomass conversion technologies for gasification
such as updraft, downdraft gasifiers are discussed in this seminar. This Gas can be used to generate
electricitv / shaft power, which is shown with the help of case studv. This also indicates that utili:ation
of biomass with diesel saves the considerable amounts of diesel.



INTRODUCTION 1


'The main concern in all scientific work must be the human being himself. This, one should never
forget among all those diagrams and equations.`
- Albert Einstein

The human race has set itselI apart Irom the animal kingdom by its intensive thirst Ior
knowledge, its inventiveness and imagination, and its ability to survive such catastrophic events as
war, oIten accompanied by pestilence and Iamine. Today, we are Iaced with a grave problem, the
energy crisis, which iI unresolved will certainly have dire consequences Ior civilization in the not too
distant Iuture.
Biomass resources have perennially met a very wide spectrum oI human needs- Iood, Iodder,
Ieedstock, Iiber and energy (amongst others). Development during the last couple oI centuries (with
2
the discovery oI coal and the beginning oI industrial revolution) have resulted in increased use oI
synthetic materials and Iossil Iuels (Iollowed by nuclear energy) as substitute Ior bio-resources in
some important areas oI application. Thus, there was diversiIication Irom biomass technology and less
priority was given toward technology development Ior eIIicient and convenient utilization oI bio-
resources. But, the biomass technology is attracting the mankind. The driving Iorce behind such move
covers a wide range oI human concern about energy crisis problems.

LOOK OVER CONVENTIONAL ENERGY:
World Production and Resources

Many estimates have been made regarding the amount oI coal still available in the earth.
Estimates oI the world`s coal resources ranges Irom 6.9 x 10
6
to 11.8 x

10
6
Mt.While proved reserves
have been estimated to range Irom 0.65 x10
6
to1.16 x10
6
Mt.Nearly 70 oI the reserves lies in the
USA, Russia and China. The general agreement is that the peak value is likely to attain somewhere
between AD 2030 and AD 2060 and that 80 oI the amount available would be consumed by AD
2250.
Estimates oI the world`s resources oI oil have ranged Irom 1450 to2685 billions barrels. The
best estimate one can make today is that most oI the resources oI oil are likely to be consumed in
another 20 years.
World`s resources oI Uranium are estimated to lie in the range oI 3.5 Mt to 6.6 Mt.OI
this, 2.315 Mt. is classiIied as reasonably assured reserves. A nuclear power plant uses 0.15 to 0.2 Mt
oI Iuel per year Ior every megawatt oI capacity. Thus, the reserves would be adequate Ior running the
present installed capacity oI 350,000 MW Ior a period oI only about 35 years. It is evident that
diIIicult situation will arise by 200 years Irom now, iI the present technology continues to be used.
The rate oI production oI economic commodity oI which a Iinite quantity exists is governed by
the laws oI supply and demand. As the amount available depletes the commodity becomes costlier, its
production rate goes through maximum and its use gradually declines.
Consequently, it is now increasingly recognized that a sustainable path Ior energy development
is necessary the world over. A gathering eIIect oI this kind can readily be seen that the transition to a
sustainable energy base will have to move on two legs: one by improving the eIIiciency oI energy and
materials use and the other by developing renewable energy resources. An attempt is: The Biomass
Technology.

3



BIOMASS: What Is It? 2


Biomass is natural product oI solar energy and thereIore, a renewable source oI carbon and
hydrogen which are the basic constituents oI energy and chemical products.
Following is an attempt to deIine Biomass:

1) Total amount oI animal and plant liIe.
2) Biomass is an organic matter i.e. photochemical approach to harness solar energy can
be converted into other Iorms oI energy like heat, electricity etc. using available conversion
processes.

3) Biomass energy in the context oI the present day industrialized
World means the use oI natural organic resources to manuIacture Iuel.
|2|

4) Biomass is the organic matter derived Irom plants as a result oI photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is the process by which solar energy is converted into chemical energy by the
plants with the help oI the pigment called chlorophyll.
6CO
2
6H
2
O Sunlight chlorophyll C
6
H
12
O
6
6O
2
chlorophyll
This process uses carbon dioxide and water in the presence oI sunlight to produce glucose.

The term Biomass includes all plant liIe trees, agriculture plants, bush, grass and algae, and their
residues aIter processing. Biomass may be obtained Irom Iorest, woods, and agricultural lands. It may
be obtained in a planned or unplanned manner. The term is also generally understood to include
animal and human waste.

4

Fig (1): Biomass conversion and its applications.

ADVANTAGES WITH
BIOMASS SYSTEMS 2.1

Stored energy Ior use at will.
Renewable.
Dependent on technology already available, with minimum capital input.
Can be developed with present manpower and material sources.
Reasonably priced.
When we burn the biomass, the oxygen Irom the atmosphere combines with the carbon in
the plants to produce CO
2
and water. This CO
2
and water are again available Ior the plant
growth and hence the cyclic process continues making the biomass, a renewable source oI
energy.
Biomass Energy is unique because
- It is available in majority oI the geographical locations
- It eIIectively stores solar energy and
- It is a renewable source oI energy in the Iorm oI carbon which
can be processed into solid, liquid and gaseous Iuels
The vast majority oI the rural population oI the world is totally dependent on biomass as
Iuel. Some sources oI biomass
- Agricultural Wastes
- Crop Residues
HEAT
FUEL
PREPERATION
GAS
CLEANING
GAS
COOLLING
FURNACE
I.C.
ENGINE
S
GAS
TURBINE
S
BIOMASS
POWER
HEAT
HEAT
POWER
5
- Wood & Woody Wastes
- Organic Wastes etc,
Biomass does not contribute to global warming. Low levels oI sulphur and ash in biomass
prevent acid rain Iormation. Biomass energy brings in numerous beneIits. To name a Iew,
- Reduction in usage oI conventional Iuels.
- Reduction in environment pollution.
- Improving the nations Economy.
- Meets the basic needs oI the rural poor
- Land use competition and land tenure
The environmental beneIits include reduction in air and water pollution reducing CO
2
emission, greenhouse gases like SO
2
.
Availability oI biomass in almost all geographical locations.
Electrical energy can be produced in large scale at low cost.
Low gestation period.
Rural employment generation.
Results in less ash production minimizing ash disposal cost.
APPLICATIONS OF BIOMASS 2.2
Direct thermal application
-Boiler
-Institutional cooking and other thermal applications.
Production oI producer gas used as Iuel in
- IC Engines, vehicles
- Irrigation water pumping / village water supply
Bio Iuels applications
6
- Ethanol Ior transport application
Generation oI electricity
BIOMASS: An Energy Source
From India Point Of view
3]
2.3

India is a large country, with total land area oI 328.8 million hectare (mha). It has an estimated human
population oI about 911 million and a livestock population oI about 450 million, mainly living in
about 587,000 villages. The annual production oI Iood grains is about 130 million tones (mt). Though
there is no authentic data available with regard to the quantity oI agricultural and agro-industrial
residues, it is estimated to be about 320 mt per annum.It is also estimated that the total cattle dung
available is about 240 mt. per year. About twenty percent oI the total land area is under Iorest cover,
which produces about 40 mt oI Iuel wood and 4 mt oI sawdust.
As per the ministry oI Non-conventional energy sources (MNES), several thousand megawatts
oI power can be generated Irom biomass alone. The total amount oI Biomass produced annually is
about 1249 million tonnes.It is estimated that 1000 hectares oI land can generate 3 MW oI power.
Energy plantation should, thereIore, be coupled with power generating units based on gasiIier and
Stirling engines to Iorm integrated energy cum power projects which can provide Iuel wood as well as
power. It is estimated that 2000 MW oI power can be generated only Irom sugar bagasse. Power can
also be made available Irom systems based on agricultural waste yielded by sugar, rice, pulses and
similar crops, through newer techniques at competitive costs.Futhermore, the 93 million hectares oI
woodlands that India has can be eIIiciently put to use Ior raising bioenergy plantation, thereby
generating employment in the process. According to MNES, there is a potential oI 17000MW
equivalent biomass/Bioenergy in the country, out oI which 3500MW is Irom cogeneration. In addition
there is a potential oI 1000MW that can be realized Irom urban and Industrial waste, out oI which only
a very small portion has been tapped so Iar Ior commercial applications.







7
Table 1: Potential/ availability of agricultural and agro-Industrial waste
5]



Types of residue Potential(MW) Availability(MW) Quantity required
to realize the
potential(mt)
Agricultural residues
Agro-industrial residues
Energy plantation
9500
4500
3000
320
50
93(mha)
90
45
1(mha)
Total 17000


Table 2: Break up of different biomass sources
4]

Biomass sources percentage
Wheat straw
Bagasse
Rice husk
Cotton stalks
Ragi and Bajara straw
Coconut and groundnut shell
33.5
32.0
12.0
8.1
77.0
6.7

Biomass contributes about 40 oI the total energy supply in India. In rural India, Biomass
contributes about 84 oI the energy in the domestic sector.

BIOMASS CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY 3

There are varieties oI ways oI obtaining energy Irom biomass. These may be broadly classiIied
into:

1) Direct Methods: The direct way oI utilizing a biomass resource is to burn it, the Iuel most
commonly used being wood.
8
An interesting approach Ior the large scale planned use oI wood is the energy plantation`
approach. In this scheme, selected species oI trees are planted and harvested over regular intervals oI
time in a phased manner so that wood is continuously available Ior cooking or allied purposes. Some
oI the trees grown in India Ior this purpose are eucalyptus, babool and casuarinas.

2) Indirect Methods: These methods are classiIied into:
i) Biological conversion:
- Anaerobic Digestion
ii) Thermo chemical conversion:
- Pyrolysis
- GasiIication

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION 3.1

Anaerobic digestion has been extensively used in our country Ior high moisture organic materials,
particularly dung. Major application has been Ior domestic and institutional cooking through a Iew
installations Ior industrial heat as well as shaIt power/ electricity have also been made. The basic
process is also used Ior treatment oI industrial and municipal wastes and eIIluents with number oI
installations Ior distillery eIIluents and human excreta having been made in various part oI the
country. Being based on bacterial activity, the process has a long cycle time (running into 4 to 6 weeks
at a time) and the long retention time and high moisture / water content also results in relatively large
plant size with associated capital intensity. Total energy available on a daily basis is obviously
restricted to the average gas production level and additional 'on demand generation cannot be
attempted (even iI additional Ieed is available) because oI long retention / cycle times.
PYROLYSIS 3.2
Pyrolysis could be largely used Ior production oI various gaseous, liquid and solid Iuels Irom biomass
with the most common example being conventional charcoal making. Though the conventional
techniques suIIer Irom low energy eIIiciency and high environmental pollution, well designed
charcoal kilns can overcome these drawbacks. Production oI liquid Iuels etc., through pyrolysis has
not been used on any signiIicant scale.

9
GASIFICATION CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY 3.3
Biomass (Iirewood, agricultural residue, and dung) is one oI the main Iuels in India, particularly in the
energy-starved rural sector. Traditionally, biomass use is characterized by the low eIIiciencies oI end-
use devices. Today, gasiIication is probably the most important and eIIicient energy-conversion
technology Ior a wide variety oI biomass Iuels. The large-scale deployment oI eIIicient technology
along with interventions to enhance the sustainable supply oI biomass Iuels can transIorm the energy
supply situation in rural areas. It has the potential to become the growth engine Ior rural development
in the country.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 3.3.1:
GasiIication has been an important part oI energy supply earlier; namely at coal gasiIication plants
whereIrom the gas was distributed through gas pipes and used in gas cookers, and the residue product,
coke, was used Ior heating in solid Iuel stoves. During World War II wood by means oI a gasiIier was
used as petrol Ior cars.
Thus, gasiIication is not a new phenomenon, but the technology was Iorgotten Ior many years because
oI cheaper and more handy ways oI getting energy.
The renewed interest in gasiIication oI biomass, Iirst oI all straw and wood/chips, is due to the wish to
utilize the residue products Irom agriculture and Iorestry, and encourage a more environmental
conscious energy use. Here is mainly thought oI the CO
2
impact in the atmosphere.
As part oI the new direction was made a study, at the beginning oI 1992, on how Iar the development
oI gasiIications plants is abroad . A Iew companies in Europe and North America have developed
gasiIiers; but the study shows that it is impossible to buy Iully automatic and reliable gasiIiers
designed Ior cogeneration. Another characteristic oI the examined plants is that none oI them are
capable oI utilizing straw, and there is no technology to utilize the waste heat. Up till now the
technology development abroad has mainly been directed towards third world applications, where
abundant labor is available, and heat production is not that interesting.
DEFINITION 3.3.2:
GasiIication is deIined as biomass or any other solid Iuel combustion through partial oxidation at high
temperature.
10
WHY GASIFICATION? 3.3.3
I) Solid biomass Iuels are usually inconvenient, have low eIIiciency oI utilization and can only be
used Ior certain limited applications. Combustion is the normal conversion process and while direct
thermal use in cooking, heating space and water or cogeneration oI steam is possible (usually with low
eIIiciencies), generation oI power, e.g. Require high, medium pressure steam boilers with steam
engine / turbine with accessories. For small power needs (a Iew kW to Iew 100 kW), this conversion
technology is not only capital intensive and complex but also very ineIIicient.
Conversion oI same biomass to combustible gas mixture like producer gas removes most oI these
problems associated with the solid biomass Iuels.
ii) In 1980`s grate Iired combustion systems were replaced by more eIIicient Iluidized bed. Combustor
Iluidized bed technology has certain shortcomings such as
a) limited Iuel Ilexibility,
b) limited environmental perIormance, with regard to emissions oI sulpher and nitrogen oxides and
particulates.
GasiIication process helps to overcome many oI these limitations.
PRINCIPLE OF GASIFICATION 3.3.4

Biomass Iuels such as Iirewood and agro-residues essentially contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
along with some moisture. Under controlled conditions, characterized by low(sub-stoichiometric)
oxygen supply and high temperatures(700 to1000
0
C), most biomass materials can be converted into a
gaseous Iuel known as producer gas, which consists oI carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide,
methane and nitrogen. This thermo-chemical conversion oI solid biomass into gaseous Iuel is called
biomass gasiIication. The producer gas so produced has low a caloriIic value 4190-5028 KJ/m
3
, but
can be burnt with a high eIIiciency and a good degree oI control without emitting smoke. Each
kilogram oI air-dry biomass (10 moisture content) yields about 2.5 m
3
oI producer gas. In energy
terms, the conversion eIIiciency oI the gasiIication process is in the range oI 60-70.

11
GASIFICATION TECHNOLOGY 3.3.5
The gasiIication process is oIten called thermal gasiIication, because the biomass is heated in a
chamber with controlled air supply. It is important to control the air supply; otherwise, there may
easily appear a complete combustion without gas production. During the heating, that usually is part oI
the process, the volatile gasses, which make up the main part oI energy in straw and wood, are
liberated.
Components Wood Gas( vol. )
Nitrogen 50-54
Carbon monoxide 17-22
Carbon dioxide 9-15
Hydrogen 12-20
Methane 2-3
Gas heating value(KJ/m
3
) 5000-5900
Table 3:
The most interesting part oI the gas according to energy are carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane.
It is a very poor gas (the heating value is lower) compared to natural gas.
TYPES OF GASIFIERS 3.3.6
Typically the gasiIier is a vertical cylindrical vessel oI varying cross section. The chemical reactions,
the Iuel has to undergo beIore it is gasiIied, are: drying, pyrolysis, combustion (oxidation), and
reduction
1he Countercurrent ( Up draft )Casifier 3.3..1
Special features:
Solid moves down and gas moves up
Tolerates variation in the Iuel quantity and size
Simple and robust in construction
Practically no ash
12
Low exit gas temperature with heavy tar content. ThereIore, suitable Ior tar Iree Iuels like
charcoal
High thermal eIIiciency and good turn down ratio
Good scale up potential
Figure(2) shows a schematic picture oI a countercurrent gasiIier including the most important reaction
zones, temperature levels, main chemical reactions, and Ilow.
In the combustion (oxidation) zone carbon Irom the Iuel bums and Iorms carbon dioxide with the
oxygen in the air. Heat is emitted during the reaction and the temperature rises until a balance between
heat supply and heat loss occurs.
Reaction: C O
2
-~ CO
2
Q (393,800 kJ/kmol)
AIter the oxidation zone the hot gas passes through the reduction zone. There is no Iree oxygen in this
zone which causes that carbon dioxide - an nonIlammable gas - reacts with the carbon in the Iuel and
Iorms carbon monoxide which is a Ilammable gas. This reaction is endothermic (demands heat) and
does not happen beIore the temperature exceeds 900C. Carbon monoxide is the most important
Ilammable compound in the produced gas.
Reaction:
C CO
2
Q (172,600 KJ / kmol) -~ 2CO
Another important endothermic reaction in the reduction zone is the reaction oI water vapour and
carbon to carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The reaction is oIten called the water gas reaction (known
Irom the old coal gasiIication plants). Both gasses are Ilammable, and the heating value oI the gas is
increased.
Reaction:
C H
2
O Q (13,400 kJ/kmol) ~ CO H
2

During the endothermic reactions the gas temperature decreases and other reactions occur. One oI
these is the reaction between carbon and water vapour, which Iorms carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
13

Reaction:
C 2H
2
O Q (88,000 kJ/kmol) -~ CO: 2H
2

II there is a surplus oI water in the reduction zone, then carbon monoxide may react with water
vapour and Iorm carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This reaction is exothermic (emits heat) and decreases
the heating value oI the produced gas.
Reaction:
CO H
2
O - Q(41,200 kJ/kmol) ~ CO
2
H
2

By gasiIication oI biomass, the water content in the Iuel is usually that big, that some part oI the
evaporated water passes through the gasiIier and Iorms part oI the outgoing gas Ilow.
In the pyrolysis zone a thermal decomposition oI the Iuel takes place at temperatures over 400
0
C.
Water vapour, methane, tar, etc., are Iormed in the pyrolysis zone. AIter the pyrolysis the Iuel has
changed to charcoal.
In the drying zone in the upper part oI the gasiIier water is separated Irom the Iuel as water vapour.
The heating value oI the gas depends to a great extent on, iI the oxygen needed Ior the gasiIication is
supplied by the air. The nitrogen in the air (app. 78) passes through the gas generator and makes up
the dominant compound oI the produced gas. Another important compound is the water vapour that
decreases the heating value oI the gas. II very wet Iuel is gasiIied, there is a risk that the produced gas
is nonIlammable.
The countercurrent gasiIier has several advantages. First oI all it is very simple in its construction and
Iunction. Second it is able to gasiIy a material with relatively high humidity; as the processes in the
reduction zone show, water/humidity exactly take part in the process.
The drawback is that the gas contains a lot oI tar which makes it impossible to use the gas directly in
engines. ThereIore it is necessary to remove the tar - or even better to crack it to Ilammable substances
in order to utilize the energy as good as possible.
14








Fig(2) Up-draft










Fig(3) Down Draft
Distillation zone
Drying zone
Grate
Feed
Gas
Drying zone
Ash zone

Air
Hearth zone
Distillation zone
Hearth zone
Air
Air
Gas
Ash pit
Reduction zone
Reduction zone
Feed
15

Parallel( Down Draft ) gasifier 3.3..2
Special features:
Both solid Ieed and gas move down
Simple in construction
Low moisture and narrow Iuel size is required
Clean gas at high exit temperature is produced
Requires high solid residence time
Ash Iusion and clinker Iormation on grate occurs
Very limited scale up potential
Figure (3) shows a schematic picture oI a parallel gasiIier. It is mainly the same chemical
reactions in this type oI gasiIier as described Ior the countercurrent gasiIier.
Unlike the countercurrent gasiIier the gas outlet is placed at the bottom oI the gasiIier and the
reduction zone is under the combustion (oxidation) zone. These two modiIications cause that tar, etc.,
which is Iormed in the pyrolysis zone, has to pass the hot combustion zone beIore it leaves the
gasiIier. By this passage the tar takes part in the combustion or is decomposed to light hydrocarbons,
and the outgoing gas is under ideal circumstances tar-Iree. In practice the tar content will be
approximately. 0.1-0.2 g/Nm.
A special kind oI parallel gasiIier has been developed at the Technical University oI Denmark. In this,
the pyrolysis is separated as a process by itselI where Ior example co-generators exhaust gasses can be
used as heating source. This way proIit is achieved. But the reason is Iirst oI all that the pyrolysis gas
can be utilized in the Iurther process taking place in the combustion chamber, in the cavity over the
Iuel. In this way, the process is optimized and a total combustion and Iormation oI cinders are avoided.
When using this gasiIication technology, the gas is directly usable Ior running engines aIter soot and
ash particles have been washed out. On the other hand the parallel gasiIier demands that the biomass
do not have too large water content.
16

COMPARISION OF BIOMASS GASIFIER 3.3.7
Down DraIt

Up DraIt

1. Small scale (up to 250KW)
2. Low heating value gas
3. Low tar and particulate content
4. UniIorm and large particles
5. Only woody biomass has been used
successIully

1. Large scale (up to 15 MW)

2. High heating value gas

3. High tar and particulate contents

4. Mixed particulate size
5. Coal, lignite, peat wood , straw has
been used




Conversion oI solid biomass into combustible gas has all the advantages associated with using gaseous
and liquid Iuels such as clean combustion, compact burning equipment, high thermal eIIiciency and a
good degree oI control. In locations, where biomass is already available at reasonable low prices (e.g.
rice mills) or in industries using Iuel wood, gasiIier systems oIIer deIinite economic advantages.
Biomass gasiIication technology is also environment-Iriendly, because oI the Iirewood savings and
reduction in CO
2
emissions. Biomass gasiIication technology has the potential to replace diesel and
other petroleum products in several applications, Ioreign exchange.
A diesel engine will typically will produce up to 3 kW-hr Irom a litre oI diesel. Thus a Iive hp diesel
engine pump set will consume about 1.25 liters oI diesel every hour. When operating in ' duel Fuel
mode with 65 replacement oI diesel by gas, it is likely to consume 0.44 liters oI diesel and 2.4 to3
kg oI woody biomass every hour.
ADVANTAGES OF GASIFICATION 3.3.8
17
A 20 kW power generation system running at about 80 load is likely to consume close to 6 liters oI
diesel every hour and so on. But, when operated under duel Iuel mode with 65 replacement will
consume 2.1 litre oI diesel and 12 to 16 kg oI wood every hour. When a gasiIier is coupled to a diesel
engine, diesel consumption is reduced by the amount deIined as diesel replacement with wood
substituting Ior such diesel reduction. In general, 3 to 4 kg. oI wood result in saving oI one litre oI
diesel.
Some useful numbers with biomass gasification
3 to 4 kg oI biomass saves litre oI diesel
65 to 85 replacement oI diesel in C.I. Engines
100 gas operation with S.I. Engines
5 H.P. pump set operating 1000 hours needs only 3.5 tones oI biomass
1 MW Ior 4000 Hrs. requires 4000 t oI biomass
For irrigation 3-4 oI land Ior tree growing 25 oI residues. Typical plantation yields are 10
to 60 tons per hectares.


APPLICATIONS 3.3.9
Producer gas can be used Ior a variety oI applications:

1. Thermal applications: cooking, water boiling, steam generation, drying etc.
2. Motive power applications: Using producer gas as a Iuel in IC engines Ior applications such as
water pumping.
3. Electricity generation: Using producer gas in dual-Iuel mode in diesel engines/as the only Iuel in
spark ignition engines/in gas turbines.
4. Irrigation pumping


18




CASE STUDY 4
__________________________________________________________________________________

ELECTRICITY/SHAFT POWER APPLICATIONS:
In case oI shaIt power/ electricity, the gas is basically burnt inside an engine. The engine can be
either diesel based or a petrol based .given that the producer gas air mixture does not auto ignite
at normal engine pressure and temperature, running diesel engine solely on gas is not possible and
pilot diesel injection is needed to start combustion. In case oI S.I. engines, spark plug initiates
combustion and hence such engine can be run totally on gas. Wherever diesel engines are used,
'diesel replacement thereIore becomes a key parameter as economics largely depends on what
percent oI total normal diesel consumption can be replaced by gas.
CASE I :
ISLAND VILLAGE ELECTRIFICATION IN SUNDERBANS( WEST BENGAL) USING
~ ANKUR ~ BIOMASS GASIFIER SYSTEMS
West Bengal renewable energy development agencies (WBREDA) have implemented a project Ior
electriIication oI an island village (village Gosaba) in Sunderbans area. The village had no
electricity. In addition to supply, installation and commissioning oI the system which has an
installed capacity oI 500kW (consisting oI Iive modules oI 100kW each), Ankur scientiIic has also
agreed to over see operation and maintenance Ior a period oI two years. The project has
completely taken over by the village co-operative society which was very enthusiastic about the
project and local youth is used to operate the system under Ankur`s supervision.


19
































Fig(4) Ankur biomass gasifier (Schematic)
System description
The system has an installed capacity oI 500 kW in stand alone mode through Iive modules oI 100 kW
each. The sets are being synchronized through a semiautomatic synchronizer with the local grid being
planned by WBREDA. A normal Iiltering system is also used and three Ankur`s cutters are used Ior
biomass preparation. The Ankur biomass gasiIier is as shown in Iig.(4).
MGV MAIN GAS VALVE
RUBBER
RING

ENGINE
Diesel
Tank
HOPPER
BIOMASS
AIR
GASIFIER
Cyclone
Ventury
Scrubber
SPRAY
NOZZLE
VIBRATOR
FEED
DOOR
BLO-
WER
TO FLARE
SPARATER
FILTER
PSV
AV
DISTRIBUTION
TANK
AIR FILTER
ALTERNATOR
MGV
GAS LINE
WATER LINE
DIESEL LINE
AV AIR VALVE
PSV PRESET VALVE
ASH POND


20
The biomass is Ied through the Ieed door and is stored in the hopper. Limited and controlled amount
oI air Ior partial combustion enters through nozzles. The ash removed manually through ash Iloor. In
Case oI larger models, automatic ash disengagement through a water seal is built-in. For gasiIier , two
gas outlets are given- one Ior start up and the other normal gas outlets which deliver hot gas to the
cooling-cleaner sub-system. The cooling-cleaner sub-system consists oI scrubber, a separator box
with a Iilter and a drain tub and cyclones. Movement oI biomass Ieed stocks, charcoal and
disengagement oI ash is accomplished through low amplitude vibrations imparted to the gasiIier.An
electrically operated vibrator is used.
Total Installed capacity : 500 kW ( 5 x 100 kW)
GasiIier : Five units oI Ankur GasiIier Model AG-100 with rated biomass
consumption oI 100 kg/hr and suitable to support power generation 100 kW level in duel
Iuel mode.
SpeciIic consumption : Upper limit oI 100 cc/kWh Ior diesel and 1 kg/kWh oI biomass
Fuel cost oI generation : Rs 1.60 per kWh
CONCLUSIONS 5
____________________________________________________________________________
Biomass, a broad term Ior all organic matter oI plants, trees and crops, is currently regarded as a
renewable energy source which can contribute substantially to the world's energy supply in the Iuture.
Various scenarios Ior the development oI energy supply and demand, such as compiled by the World
Energy Council (WEC), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Shell and the
Stockholm Environmental Institute (SEI), indicate that biomass has the potential to make a large
contribution to the world's energy supply. Estimates oI this potential in the year 2050 vary Irom 14
to 50 oI the total supply, or Irom 100 to about 300 EJ/yr. It is estimated that currently biomass
contributes 10-14 oI the energy supply, which is equivalent to about 40-55 EJ/yr. The use oI
Iirewood in developing countries makes up a large part oI this 40-55 EJ, but there it is Ior a large part
non-commercial and non-sustainable use oI biomass.
II biomass is to make a substantial contribution to the world's energy supply it will have to include not
only biomass residues - such as Irom commercial Iorestry (e.g. thinning) and agriculture (e.g. straw) -
and organic wastes, but also energy crops. Perennial crops seem to be a particularly promising energy
21
source. Crops like Short Rotation Coppice (e.g. Willow and Eucalyptus) and grasses (e.g. Miscanthus)
give a relatively high net energy yield per hectare, have a low environmental impact and produce
relatively cheap energy. The use oI such crops in a Biomass Integrated GasiIier/Combined Cycle
(BIG/CC) plant to produce electricity or combined heat and power, and the gasiIication oI these crops
to produce Iuels like methanol and hydrogen appear to be promising routes Ior achieving high energy
conversion eIIiciency at relatively low cost.
There has been a steady research interest over many years into the use oI alternative biomass Iuels in
I.C. engines, including biogas, wood gas, biodiesel and ethanol. Both practical and theoretical work
has also been done on other engine cycles, such as the Stirling and Atkinson cycles, as alternative
means oI using a range oI Iuels and also improving eIIiciency oI the combustion oI conventional Iuels.
There is strong interest in the increasing opportunity Ior the use oI thermal and biological means to
gasiIy biomass materials, such as wood and municipal solid waste Ior power production. This seminar
had a basic aim oI making aware about presently available conversion technologies, especially
biomass gasiIication. Although we have seen up draIt and down draIt technologies, some other types
may be available in near Iuture. As we have seen the gasiIication system is suitably used to generate
shaIt power / electric power. However, independent use oI gas in engines is not Ieasible, it is necessary
to blend it with diesel as an example.Also the use oI producer gas, iI not handeled properly, may lead
to toxic hazards, Iire hazards, explosion hazards and environmental hazards.
Also, despite the promising outlook, various barriers are hampering the large scale development and
implementation oI commercial biomass energy systems. Currently, the commercial use oI biomass to
generate electricity is limited mainly to the utilization oI zero- or low-cost biomass waste or residues.
At the moment specially cultivated biomass is too expensive an option. However, biomass is able to
compete on a signiIicant scale in countries, like Sweden, Denmark and Brazil, where government
policies support its use Iinancially or have actively discouraged the use oI Iossil Iuels (such as by the
introduction oI a carbon tax). The complexity oI large scale bioenergy systems is also a barrier.
Furthermore, biomass has a relatively low energy density. The production oI biomass is bound up
with seasons and makes high demands on organization and logistics. Furthermore, it involves many
diIIerent Iactors involved in the production and utilization oI energy crops: Iarmers, utilities,
industries, governments, etc. DiIIiculties concerning public acceptability and uncertainties concerning
the ecological eIIects oI the large scale production oI use oI biomass are Iorming another problem.
Last but not least, the availability oI land may be a major problem iI the large scale production oI
energy crops is being considered. II agriculture is not modernized, especially in developing countries,
22
there might be very little room leIt Ior alternative crops. Energy Iarming may then conIlict with Iood
production, a situation which is highly undesirable.
REFERENCES 6
_____________________________________________________________________________
1. Nicholas P. Cheromisinoff, Paul N. Chermishinoff, et. al., application, technologv and
production, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York and Basel.
2. Edward S. Cassedy, Prospects for sustainable energv a critical assessment, Cambridge
university press-2000
3. M. Kalshrestha, MVS Iyer et. al., energv from biomass. Prospects in India, Biomass energy
system, proceedings oI the international conIerence, 1996,TERI,pg.no.124
4. O.P.Rao, R&D requirements in biomass combustion and gasification , ibid., pg.no.259-269
5. N.P.Singh, Biomass programme in India. An overview, ibid.,pg.no.65-72
6. Sukhatme S.P., Solar energv.Principal of thermal collection and storage, TMH, second edition.
7. B.C.1ain, Biomass gasification technologv and its role in Indian industrv, Renewable Energy
applications to industries, Narosa publishing House, 1997, pg.no.9-17
8. V.N.G. Rao et al, power generation using Biomass combustion/ Gasification,ibid.,pg.no.119-134
9. www.wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/ energy/paper/ Se Handbook





23
APPEADIX
BIOMASS MATERIALS AND THEIR TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Biomass materials and biomass based industry residues are very important renewable energy sources. The importance oI
these materials as alternate Iuels has been well recognized Ior use in power generation. While the characteristics oI
biomass vary Irom diIIerent geographical regions, the values Ior typical biomass materials are indicated Ior general
guidance.
Biomass Grade
Bulk Density
Kgs/M
3

Ash
Content

C
H

N

O

CaloriIic
Value
Kcal/Kg.
Castor stick 5.40 45.97 6.65 1.28 40.70 4300
Castor Seed Shell 8.00 44.25 5.65 0.16 41.94 3860
Corn cobs 11 moisture 304 1.20 41.44 5.96 0.14 51.26
Cotton pods 5.01 41.49 6.20 1.81 45.49 4200
Cotton stalk 3.01 41.49 6.20 1.81 47.49 4200
Saw dust Loose 177 1.20 52.28 5.20 0.47 40.85 4400
Straw Loose 80 15.50 35.97 5.28 0.17 43.08 3700
Straw Bales
320

Wood (hard) --- 330 1.50 52.30 5.20 0.50 42.00 4400
Bagasse 0.12 74 4.00 47.00 6.50 0.0 42.50 4200
Coir pith 0.12 47 13.60 41.27 4.02 1.51 39.60 4100
Cotton shell 0.21 79 4.60 44.19 5.87 0.73 44.61 4200
Coconut Wastes 6.31 46.69 5.89 0.07 41.04 3720
CoIIee Husk 11.61 46.46 6.26 0.72 34.95 3745
Eucalyptus Saw dust 0.12 239 0.21 49.37 6.39 2.02 42.01 4400
Ground nut shell 0.15 165 3.10 33.90 1.97 1.10 59.93 4500
Mulberry stick 2.49 44.23 6.61 0.51 46.25 4380
Rice husk 0.12 235 22.20 36.42 4.91 0.59 35.88 3200
Sun Ilower stalk 0.12 93 4.30 44.20 5.50 0.50 45.50 4300
Sugar cane leaves 0.13 167 7.71 39.75 5.55 0.17 46.82 4200
Saw dust 0.12 165 1.20 52.28 5.20 0.47 40.85 4500
24
Subabul 1.20 42.76 5.68 1.07 49.29 3980
Sweet sorghum stalk 7.40 41.83 5.90 0.53 44.34 4100
Tobacco dust 0.18
586
49.40 19.94 1.63 4.35 24.68 1164
Tea waste 0.17
100
6.70 45.97 5.40 2.76 39.17 4000
Tobacco stem 20.6 28.30 4.50 1.00 45.60 3041

Source: Book titled "BIOMASS, Thermo-chemical characterisation" Published by IIT, New Delhi