Sustainability and Rural Livelihood Security Based on Biomass Gasification: An Assessment

Abstract

The applications of gasification products comprise impending use as process output that can be converted into mechanical, electrical and/or heat energy use in several industries and sectors including rural households. Different types of agricultural and forestry residues, energy crops, dairy-house, piggery, poultry, domestic and industrial wastes can be used as feedstock. With or without pre-treatment, the feedstock biomass can be gasified under different technological conditions viz. in a biochemical digester (biogas plant) or in a thermal digester (gasifiers), to find out what are the most suitable conditions for maximum energy outputs. Rural livelihood safety by the use of biogas plants was also assessed. The savings in fuel, overall family income, living cost, a slurry of biogas plants used as manure, and reduction of greenhouse gases at the domestic level were also studied. Overall annual family income varied from Indian Rupee (INR) 2,50,000–27,50,000. Annual livelihood cost was averaged at INR 1,66,714 and 1,83,529, respectively, with and without the usage of biogas plants. Biogas plant usage helped families save INR 10,295 (with savings of 1389 kg of fuel wood and nine cooking gas cylinders). Biogas plant usage also prevented methane (755 kg) and ammonia (267 kg) gas emissions annually.