Gasification and power generation characteristics of rice husk and rice husk pellet using a downdraft fixed-bed gasifier

In the present study, gasification of rice husk and rice husk pellet was performed in a bench-scale downdraft fixed-bed gasifier. Gasification was conducted in a temperature range of 600–850 °C, fuel feeding rate of 40–60 kg/h and gasification agent, air, feeding rate of 50–75 Nm3/h. From the results, synthetic gas heating value and cold gas efficiency of more than 1300 kcal/Nm3 and 70% were achieved, respectively. The heating value of synthetic gas and cold gas efficiency from rice husk pellet gasification shows higher value than that of rice husk gasification. To make power generation, the CD800L reciprocating engine designed to basically use LPG fuel was conducted by supplying synthetic gas produced from rice husk pellet gasification. It was confirmed that stable power generation of 10 kW was achieved.

► Rice husk and rice husk pellet gasification in downdraft fixed-bed gasifier.
► Compared to the rice husk, the synthetic gas produced from rice husk pellet gasification shows higher heating value.
► Optimum excess air ratio for gasification of rice husk and rice husk pellet is about 0.6 and 0.3.
► Stable power generation using synthetic gas produced from rice husk pellet was achieved.