PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF BIOMASS GASIFIER SYSTEM

Abstract

In India, in spite of the highest priority given to rural electrification, about 80,000 villages remain yet to be electrified. Most of these villages are located in remote areas, with very low load densities. In remote areas where transmission of grid power is totally uneconomical, off grid electrification can be undertaken through renewable energy systems such as Gasifier technology. In present study, the 5kW downdraft gasifier coupled to engine-generator is used for electrification. Performance analysis of biomass gasifier instated at RET Park, AHEC are carried out. The proximate analysis of wood is carried out having the moisture contain of 12% on wet basis having fixed carbon, volatile matter and ash contained as 16%, 82%, and 1% respectively. The calorific value of the wood was measured as 4404 kcal kg" '. Biomass consumption at different load, i.e.at load 1kW, 2kW, 3kW, and 4kW 1.5, 3, 3.5, 4, and 4.5 kg/hr respectively. Overall efficiency of biomass gasifier system operated on 100% producer gas mode has been found as 12.5% at 4kW load whereas at 1kW, 2kW, 3kW load conditions, the values of efficiencies has been observed as 9.38%, 10%, and 11.25 % respectively. Further an attempt has also made to analysis that energy cost for higher capacity of systems. Energy cost for 100 % producer gas mode of operation for 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40kW of systems has been found as Rs.23.44/,Rs.19.11/,Rs.16.15/, Rs.15.66/, and Rs.14.72/kWh respectively. However the values for dual fuel mode are found as Rs.26.08, Rs.22.52, Rs.18.84, Rs.18.58, and Rs.17.59/kWh respectively and for diesel mode as Rs.29.36, Rs.25.96, Rs.22.28, Rs.21.93, and Rs.20.98/kWh respectively