Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6767354 | Renewable Energy | 2015 | 9 Pages |
Abstract
Pongamia residue (shells) is the byproduct from the biodiesel processing industry, which is a lignocellulosic biomass material. It is not suitable as feedstock in downdraft wood gasifier due to low bulk density (146Â kg/m3) of shells as compared to wood (more than 350Â kg/m3). Pelletization and gasification of pelletized shells was carried out in the present work. The heat transfer analysis in pellets of 17Â mm and 11.5Â mm was also carried out to evaluate thermal properties of this biomass. Shell pellets of 17Â mm and 11.5Â mm diameter and length in the range of 10-60Â mm were gasified in a 20Â kWe downdraft wood gasifier. The complete gasification of pellets with 17Â mm diameter could not be achieved because of less porosity and presence of larger thermal gradient within the pellets. The gasification efficiency was 73% for 17Â mm diameter pellets which is lower than that of 11.5Â mm diameter pellets which was 95%. The calorific value of producer gas generated from smaller diameter pellets was higher (4.66Â MJ/NÂ m3) as compared to larger diameter pellets (3.98Â MJ/NÂ m3). Tar formation during gasification of smaller diameter pellets was low as compared to larger diameter pellets.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Authors
Lalta Prasad, P.M.V. Subbarao, J.P. Subrahmanyam,