Suitability of agricultural residues as feedstock for fixed bed gasifiers

Abstract

The use of agricultural residues as feedstock for fixed bed gasifiers could help Uganda and other developing countries to break their over dependence on expensive fossils fuels for heat and power generation. Uganda produces residues, such as bagasse, rice husks, maize cobs, coffee husks, and groundnut shells, that are usually wasted or poorly and inefficiently used. This chapter presents the results of an investigation on using the different agricultural residues in the same gasifier units where the only major difficulty is the fuel feeding system. The results of the physical and thermo-chemical tests carried out showed that gasification of these residues is a promising technology with expected relatively high gas yields and heating values. Gasification of agricultural residues has a great potential in Uganda and it could help in reducing the unsustainable exploitation of woody biomass for purposes of cooking and lighting, hence preserving nature as well as maintaining a clear environment.