Experimental Investigation on the Feasibility of Sugarcane Bagasse for Gasification

Abstract

Energy security and need for sustainable systems, the major concerns in the energy sector have compelled the policymakers to consider energy generation from the biomass, a carbon-neutral energy resource. Biomass gasification technology has a prominent role among the different technologies for converting biomass into energy. Considering the thrust on biomass-based renewable energy programs in India, gasification of agricultural crop residues has a larger scope. In this context, feasibility of gasification of sugarcane bagasse in a fluidized bed gasifier has significance and it is assessed based on biomass characterization and experimental investigations. Biomass characterization is carried out by proximate and ultimate compositions in the biomass. A thermo-gravimetric analysis is also conducted to study the behavior of the biomass during thermochemical conversion process occurring during gasification. Characterization of sugarcane bagasse identified the feasibility of considering it as a feedstock for gasification. In the experimental investigation, gas yield especially the hydrogen yield obtained in air gasification under different operating conditions is analyzed. During the investigations hydrogen yield in the range of 8–11% (considering N2) was obtained under different operating conditions. Sugarcane bagasse is judged as a feasible feedstock for fluidized bed biomass gasification from its performance as a feedstock during gasification and 10.2% from sugarcane bagasse.