ABSTRACT
A standalone gasifier coupled with I.C. Engine has proven its potential to fulfil the energy requirement of rural electrification. The purpose of this study was to estimate the potential of gasification process by combustion of bio-waste and municipal solid waste (MSW) also called as Refused Derived Fuel (RDF). Experiments were conducted on a 20 kWe downdraft gasifier at National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF-India), Gandhinagar. A screw conveyor was attached in the oxidation zone of a gasifier reactor to prevent it from chocking. After such modifications in the gasification system, experiments were conducted using different types of biomass including the bark of Babul, Teak and Neem tree. Performance parameters viz., the surface temperature of gasifier reactor, air flow rate, gas flow rate, engine output voltage, Engine oil pressure were recorded. The gas flow rate was observed over 5% higher during feeding of a combination of RDF and biomass as compared to biomass alone. The temperature of oxidation zone and flame was found over 6% higher of producer gas, resulted from the combination than the biomass alone. Ash content has increased marginally (2%) while char content was reduced drastically (27%). However, the tar content had increased significantly (64%) when the combination of RDF and biomass were used as feed in comparison to biomass alone. There is a need for developing a better filtration system to reduce the tar content in the producer gas.
