Design of a 20 kWth gasification reactor for harnessing energy from rice husks

Abstract

Biomass energy is vital in the quest for sustainable and renewable energy sources. Despite the extended development of gasification, equipment malfunctions persist when using biomass that does not meet the expected technical specifications, requiring reactor designs based on fuel properties. Considering the limited information focused on the design of fixed-bed gasifiers for low-density biomass, this study presents the sizing of a gasification equipment to generate 20 kWth whilst taking rice husks as fuel into account. The main reactor dimensions were computed based on experimental tests performed in a low-complexity laboratory-scale gasification facility. This resulted in a throatless reactor with a diameter of 304.8 mm and 1-m length. Since the flame position using a closed-loop control strategy has not been reported for this type of reactor, a novel control methodology based on the signals of three thermocouples and a shaking system is proposed and demonstrated using modelling. This study aimed to develop widespread biomass gasification that derives environmental benefits.