Sustainable utilization of bamboo through air-steam gasification in downdraft gasifier: Experimental and simulation approach

Abstract

This study presents a detailed analysis to utilize bamboo which is a widely available feedstock in North-Eastern states of India, via air-steam gasification with an estimated potential to generate 23.92 PJ energy. The study was carried out in a downdraft gasifier (10 kWe) to produce hydrogen-rich syngas. The effect of the steam to biomass ratio (0.1–0.4) on the gas composition and performance parameters is studied. The maximum H2 yield (37.12%) is found in the steam to biomass ratio of 0.35. The lower heating value and cold gas efficiency are in the range of 4.72–5.71 MJ/Nm3 and 62.1–85.7%, respectively. The higher steam to biomass ratio of above 0.35 led to cooling of combustion and reduction zone and negatively affected the performance parameters of the gasifier. The experimental data of the present study is validated with model data and root mean square error is found in the range of 4.24–7.76 and 2.88–10.08 from experimental data from literature with the developed model. Results show that it is economical and viable to use small-scale gasifiers to produce syngas from bamboo to meet the local energy demand. This is of importance in small and isolated communities that are near bamboo forest.