COMMERCIALISATION OF BIOMASS GASIFIERS

Rapid Industrialization necessitated the supply of various energy sources to increase many folds. The obvious choice is fossil fuels and their excessive utilization brought ecological imbalance by polluting the environment. The ill effects due to excessive use of fossil fuels are being felt all over the world. It is time that the energy needs be met from Environmental friendly sources. One of the main sources is energy from Biomass. By gasification of Biomass, a convenient, cost effective and environmental friendly gaseous energy can be formed which meet the energy can needs have advanced societies, be it for engine running or industrial burning. The important fact is biomass is renewable as it can be grown. Biomass cultivation gives rural employment as it is an agriproduce. About 2000 hectors of waste land can provide enough Biomass to generate 3 MW of power besides supporting energy needs of village of 150 families. A 1000 kgs of Biomass can be processed to yield enough gas which is equivalent to 200 litres of oil or 380 Cubic Meters of Natural gas or 15 cylinders of LPG. In addition to solid woody Biomass, specific gasifiers work well with loose biomass like Rice Husk, Groundnut Husk etc. Gasification In this process, the Biomass is burnt under controlled conditions in a reactor Called Gasifier and the products of combustion are converted into a gaseous fuel called “Producer Gas". The Hot gas laden with tarry and dusty particles will be cooled and filtered in case of Engine application or directly burnt in a specially designed burner for heating purpose or hot air generation. In case of Engine application, either dual fuel diesel engines can be used to save more than 65% of diese1 oil or it can be fed to a specifically designed spark Ignition Engines running on 100% gas. In case of heating application, the flame Intensity can be Increased or decreased similar to gaseous fuel.

Salient Features of Biomass Gasifiers

1) High Conversion efficiency, 2) Clean environment compared to direct burning of Biomass, 3) Flame control is Convenient and easy, 4) Flame temperature up to 1000C can be achieved, 5) Positive environmental impact, 6) Saving of more than 65% Diesel Oil in case of Dual Fuel Diesel application, 7) Economic Hot Air Generation and 8) Negligible Carbon Dioxide emission.

Operational Economics

1) Capital Investment is low. Around 300 U.S.Dollars per KW in case of power mode and 100 US Dollars per KW in case of Heating Mode.

2) Very small project gestation period (it can be as low as three months).

3) Economical running when compared to fossil fuels.

4) Attractive pay back periods. In areas where biomass is available at nominal cost collection charges are to be incurred and in such cases the payback period will be less than 12 months.
The Gasifier technology has crossed the R & D Stage and Demo stage. Slowly awareness is coming in the users of fossil fuel based energy systems to go for Gasifier based systems. Still these prospective users are little bit hesitant to go for Gasifier based energy systems as not many such systems are in operation and very few proven manufacturers are available. Few prospective uses can be in Rice Mills, processing industries, Spinning Mills, Chemical Industries, Tribal School Hostels, Central Prisons and Sub Jails for Power Generation and for Thermal Applications.