Design of an updraft gasification stove and its performance test with cassava peel as fuel

Abstract

In this study, an insulated updraft gasification stove for biomass has been designed and tested for cassava peel. The main components of the stove were forced airflow inlet, biomass bed and gasification chamber and ceramic wool-insulated stainless steel wall. Top lit method was used in the ignition and testing was performed by using water boiling test method. Cassava peel was fed at four levels of bulk densities and moisture content. The result showed that combustion rates were quite high. The bulk density of fuel tend to reduce the rate of combustion and ignition front speed. The cassava peel with moisture content of 8-10% showed reddish-purple flame and small amount of smoke produced while with moisture content above 15%, the fuel could not be ignited in a reasonable time. The thermal system efficiencies of this gasification stove were still quite low, which were between 5.88 to 8.79%.