Technical and Field Experience of Downdraft Gasifier for Village Electrification

KU Team Gasifier Evolution and Experience Suraj Pandey, Aadarsh Upreti Kathmandu University (KU)

KU-Gasifier R&D Team

Dr. Bivek Baral (Team Leader) Mr. Sunil Prasad Lohani (Activity Leader) Mr. Suraj Pandey (Research Engineer & Post graduate student by Research) Mr. Anant Bhusal (Research Assistant) Mr. Aadarsh Upreti (Research Assistant)
Gasifier Research started from 2010 with support from Renewable Nepal Research Budget: NRs. 6.5 million

KU-Gasifier
Downdraft Gasifier (3-models)
Single stage Two-stage Open top

12-15 kW (electrical) Water Scrubbing for cleaning TAR Charcoal for additional cleaning the tar

Ankur Gasifier
Installation in Sarlahi Single Stage Gasifier
2 number of nozzles

Water cooling and cleaning

Rice Husk as primary filter Fabric Filter as secondary filter Gas Engine for Power Generation

KU-3 models of Gasifier

Manufactured in Local Workshop at Banepa

Tar cleaning and cooling unit manufactured at KUMechanical Workshop

Sketch of KU Gas Cleaning and Cooling System

Legend
1. Inlet Cyclone 2. First Scrubber 3. 2nd Counter Scrubber 4. 3rd Scrubber 5. Charcoal filter 6. Outlet cyclone

3 1

5 4

A 12 kW (electrical) Reactor
The Reactor is the heart of the gasifier where solid biomass fuel is converted in to gaseous fuel (producer gas)

KU-Gasifier Disadvantage
Till now continuous ash removal has not been designed and focused.

KU-Gasifier Design Up-gradation

Screw Augur is planned to be incorporated in the gasifier system for continuous ash removal At present batch feeding of ash removal system is designed.

Ankur Gasifier

Features:
Continuous ash removal system.

Comparison
KU model Site specific design (specific fuels). Research based design for better fuel economy. Start up time 5-7 minutes Ankur model Designed specific to limited fuels. Designed for various fuel operating at above rated fuel economy. Start up time 5-7 minutes.

Site specific design

KU model gasifier advantages

Custom design for site condition. Design parameters for various kinds of fuel available in Nepal. TAR formation nature is not the same for every types of fuels. Custom cleaning and cooling systems for different fuel source.

R & D for future

Planned to insulate the reactor with fire cement for better reliability and maintainability. High efficiency cleaning system for ULTRA CLEAN GAS. Low operation and running cost.

Our effort in cleaning system

Bluish flame is the indication of gas quality.
The greater the gas quality, the less is the operation and maintenance cost for gas cleaning and engine repairing

Ultra Clean Producer Gas Combustion

Photo taken during 1 month training on design of gasifier system at IISc, Bangalore 2012, 80 kW (electrical) combustion flame.

Thank you
Looking forward to collaborate with AEPC for R&D and dissemination.