Abstract

The use of conventional fuels is decreasing globally due to its limited reserves and negative impact on the environment. The associated cost of conventional fuels is increasing owing to the higher demand for conventional fuels. Hence, utilization methods of biomass to generate energy are of growing interest. Among different biomass feedstocks, rice husks, waste plastics, and sawdust are significantly available in the global environment. The annual generation amount of rice husk is approximately 120 million tons worldwide, with an annual energy generation potential of 109 GJ with a heating value of 15 MJ/kg. The gasification process is assumed to be the most effective biomass conversion method that can generate synthetic gas to operate IC engines, fuel cells, and boilers. Synthetic gas production from biomass using a gasification process is a significant source of future energy. Downdraft fixed-bed gasifiers are considered as a feasible option of biomass conversion in the gasification process. By optimizing the operating conditions of downdraft fixed-bed gasifier, such as reaction zone temperature, combustion zone temperature, intake air temperature, airflow rate, the humidity of intake air, a significant amount of synthetic gas can be produced from rice husks, waste plastic material, and sawdust.

Highlights

  • 1.1 Global energy statusHuman civilization and development have significantly increased world energy demand over the past years [1]

  • Waste plastic, and sawdust were used as feedstock materials in the gasification process using a downdraft fixed-bed gasifier

  • The generation of synthetic gas depends on the heating value of biomass feedstocks

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Summary

Global energy status

Human civilization and development have significantly increased world energy demand over the past years [1]. Consumption of world energy includes all energy sources consumed by humans in their economy and industrial purposes [2, 3]. Major factors that influence energy consumption are the high growth rate of population and per capita energy consumption. The world’s population is the main global energy consumer [2–4]. It is a challenge to provide sufficient energy to this huge population of around 2 billion using conventional energy sources. All countries and regions worldwide are trying to reduce the use of conventional energy sources due to their low reserve and high rates of emission. Overall around 84% of global energy is consumed from conventional fossil fuels. Alternative renewable sources of energy are currently used with conventional fuels [9]

Renewable energy sources
Biomass renewable energy
Gasification
Pyrolysis
Incineration
Gasification method using different gasifiers
Counter-current or updraft gasifier
Different biomass feedstock materials
Gasification performance
Synthetic gas composition
Power generation using gasifier
Findings
Conclusion
Full Text
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