Page at a glance Biomass gasifier plants for power generation Fertilizer from biomass residue The right solution for rural India

How it works
Gasification is a sub-stoichiometric combustion which involves a thermo-chemical conversion of biomass at high temperature involving oxidizing and reducing reactions. This process is made possible in a device called Gasifier. The total package basically comprises of a reactor, where the gas is generated, and is followed by a cooling and cleaning system, which cools and cleans the gas. The clean combustible gas is thus available for power generation in an Internal Combustion engine and for thermal applications.

Typical Gas Properties
Gas composition – CO: 20± 1%, H2: 20± 1%, CH4: 3± 1%, CO2: 12± 1% & rest N2
Calorific value: 4.7 ± 0.2 MJ/m³

Fuel Consumption Biomass to diesel in thermal mode 3.3 to 3.5 kg/liter Biomass to diesel in dual fuel engine mode 3.8 to 4.0 kg/liter Biomass to electricity (gas alone) 1.2±0.1 kg/kWh

Biomass, is still the predominant form of energy used by people in less developed countries, accounting for 14% of world energy use. The simplest, cheapest and most common method of obtaining energy from biomass is direct combustion more....

Biomass gasifier vs. fossil fuel operations

For Thermal Application Economics of biomass gasifier supplying gas for about 1,500,000 kCal/hour boiler consuming 150 lts of furnace oil (FO) per hour Initial Investment for Gasifier Rs.175 Lakhs Comparison of Operational Costs (all values are in INR and in lakhs) Description Furnace Oil Biomass Annual cost of fuel 244 72 Maintenance cost 1 6 labour cost 7 21 Electricity cost 11 19 Total cost 263 118 Gross annual cost savings Rs. 145 Laksh/year Payback period 14 months Note: Number of hours of operation assumed to be 7,920 hours per year Furnance oil consumed 150 L/hour Biomass price= Rs. 1,200/Metric ton Furnance oil price = Rs. 20,500/ Metric ton

For electricity generation Gasifier Economics using 100% producer gas engine Comparison of Operrational Costs for electrictity generation Comparison of Operational Costs (all values are in INR and in lakhs) Description Diesel Biomass Fuel(Rs./kwh) 11.5 1.5 Maintenance(Rs. /kwh) 0.2 0.4 Lobour - skilled manpower Rs. /kwh) 0.1 0.3 Administration( Rs./ Kwh) 0.2 0.3 Cost of generation (operational costs, Rs./kwh) 12.0 2.5 Note: Biomass price = Rs. 1,200/Metric ton A biomass consumption of 1.25 kg was assumes to generate one kwh electricity. Diesel cost = Rs.40/litre. One litre diesel was assumed to generate 3.5 kwh electricity.