Biomass Characterization and Gasifier Design for Agricultural Residues

An analysis of the experimental characterization of the three agricultural residues redgram stalk, soyabean stalk, and chilli stalk (biomass) was carried out and the higher heating values (HHV) were determined using the available correlations from the literature. The selected agricultural residues proximate analysis results show moisture about 4.2 to 7.4%, the volatile matter about 79.3 to 85.8%, fixed carbon about 4 to 8.94%, and ash about 2.5 to 5.5%. The ultimate analysis results present elemental compositions such as carbon about 46 to 49%, hydrogen about 5%, oxygen about 30%, and the nitrogen about 3.1 to 3.7% with very low sulfur content. The HHV of agricultural residues varies from 14MJ kg-1 to 19MJ kg-1. The design of the downdraft gasifier to accommodate agricultural residues was carried out taking into account the characteristics of the agricultural residues and the specifications of the internal combustion (IC) engine. The characteristics of the agricultural residues depict that the three agricultural residues are suitable for gasification and can be used in a single gasifier.