Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1 Department Faculty of Engineering, Division of Mechanical Engineering, Ashikaga University, P. O. Box: 326-8558, Ashikaga, Tochigi, Japan.
2 Tanzania Industrial Research and Development Organization, P. O. Box: 23235, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
3 Energy Commission of Nigeria Headquarters, Garki, FCT-Abuja.
Abstract
This research explores biomass gasification for power generation in rural areas of developing countries, utilizing a 20 kW U-flow-shaped gasification system developed at Ashikaga University. While small-scale power systems typically rely on reciprocating or modified diesel engines, which face issues due to tar produced by biomass gasifiers, this study employed a piston-less rotary engine. Performance evaluations were conducted at various engine speeds and gasifier operational modes, demonstrating continuous power generation for approximately six hours. Improved maintenance of rotary engines could benefit rural users, with potential efficiency gains through thermal energy recovery, although tar filtration needs enhancement. The experimental findings reveal continuous power generation for approximately six hours under both operational conditions, with the closed-top operation outperforming the open-top counterpart in terms of power output. However, control over power output and gasifier temperatures is more straightforward in the open-top operation. Gasifier performance was assessed based on fuel consumption rate and system efficiency, with consumption rates varying by rotary engine speed, measuring 2.0 kWh/kg at 2800 rpm and 2.3 kWh/kg at 3200 rpm, and 2.9 kWh/kg at 3600 rpm. Cold gas efficiency of the U-shaped gasifier was 63.4%, and energy conversion efficiency reached 9.4% at 2800 rpm operation. At 3200 rpm operation, cold gas efficiency improved to 79.8%, but energy conversion efficiency decreased to 7.3%. The rotary engine's energy conversion efficiency was lower than that of a gas engine. Nonetheless, if the rotary engine reduces maintenance needs, it could benefit rural users. Efficiency can be improved through thermal energy recovery.
Keywords
Main Subjects
- Adin, M. Ş., Altun, Ş. & Adin, M.Ş. (2021). Effect of using bioethanol as fuel on start-up and warm-up exhaust emissions from a diesel power generator. International Journal of Ambient Energy, 43, 5711-5717. https://doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2021.1977387
- Aguado,R., Escámez,A., Jurado,F., Vera,D. (2023). Experimental assessment of a pilot-scale gasification plant fueled with olive pomace pellets for combined power, heat and biochar production. Fuel, 344, 128127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.128127
- Altun Ş, Adin M.Ş, İlçin K. (2023). Monohydric aliphatic alcohols as liquid fuels for using in internal combustion engines: A review. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering. https://doi:10.1177/09544089231160472
- Ayub, H.M.U., Park, S. Jin., & Binns, M. (2020). Biomass to Syngas: Modified Stoichiometric Thermodynamic Models for Downdraft Biomass Gasification, Energies, 13(20), 5383. https://doi.org/10.3390/en13205383
- Bocci, E., & Sisinni, M. (2014). State of Art of Small-Scale Biomass Gasification Power Systems: A Review of the Different Typologies. Energy Procedia, 45, 247-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.01.027
- Branco, J.P. Tamo, M.U.P., & Dei, T. (2017). Appropriate Feedstock in Wood Gasification for Rural Electrification. Energy Procedia, 138, 488-493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.10.232
- Brown, R.C., & Brown T. (2014). BIORENEWABLE RESOOURCES: Engineering New Products from Agriculture 2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781118524985
- Carlos, A.D.G., Leonardo, P.S. (2020) Sustainable aspects of biomass gasification systems for small power generation. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Review, 134, 110180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110180
- Chhiti, Y., & Kemiha, M. (2013). Thermal Conversion of Biomass, Pyrolysis and Gasification: A Review. The International Journal of Engineering and Science, 2(3), 75-85. https://www.theijes.com/papers/v2-i3/M023075085.pdf
- Dei,T., & Iddi, H. (2021). Study on Biomass Gasified Generator Using Rotary Engine. Journal of Energy and Power Engineering 15, 187-192. https://doi.org/10.17265/1934-8975/2021.05.004
- Dhanak, D.V., & Patel, V.R. (2016). Biomass Gasification: A Modern Approach for Renewable Energy Utilization, GRD Journal for Engineering, 1(6), 58-65. https://grdjournals.com/uploads/article/GRDJE/V01/I06/0066/GRDJEV01I060066.pdf
- Garg, A., & Sharma, M. P. (2013). Performance Evaluation of Gasifier Engine System Using Different Feed Stocks. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, 3(6), 188-191. https://www.ijetae.com/files/Volume3Issue6/IJETAE_0613_31.pdf
- Ibrahim, A., Veremieiey, S. & Gaskell, P.H. (2022). An advanced comprehensive thermochemical equilibrium model of a downdraft biomass gasifier, Renewable Energy, 194, 912-925. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2022.05.069
- Ibrahim, S.M.A., & Mostafa, E.M. (2020). Syngas Compositions, Cold Gas and Carbon Conversion Efficiencies for Different Coal Gasification Processes and all Coal Ranks. Journal of Mining and Mechanical Engineering, 1(2), 59-72. https://10.32474/JOMME.2020.01.000109
- Kluska, J., Ochnio, M., Kazimierski, P., & Kardaś, D. (2018). Comparison of downdraft and updraft gasification of biomass in a fixed bed reactor, Archives of thermodynamics 39 (4),59-69. https://journals.pan.pl/dlibra/publication/125656/edition/109645/content
- Kushwah, A., Reina, T.R., & Short, M. (2022). Modelling approaches for biomass gasifiers: A comprehensive overview. Science of The Total Environment, 834, 15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155243
- Mazda Motor of America, Inc. Review (2020). RENESIS ROTARY ENGINE FUNDAMENTALS.https://www.academia.edu/42094967/Mazda_RENESIS_Rotary_Engine_Fundamentals
- Mishra,S., Upadhyay, R. K. (2021). Review on biomass gasification: Gasifiers, gasifying mediums, and operational parameters. Materials Science for Energy Technologies, 4, 329-340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mset.2021.08.009
- Molino, A., Larocca, V., Chianese, S., & Musmarra, D. (2018). Biofuels production by biomass gasification: A review. Energies, 11(4), 811. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11040811
- Murakami, T, Asai, M., & Suzuki, Y. (2013). Optimized Approach of High Cold Gas Efficiency of Woody Biomass in a Fluidized Bed Gasifier with Triple-beds. The Japanese Society for Experimental Mechanics, 13 (special issue), 30-34. https://doi.org/10.11395/jjsem.13.s30
- Nikkhah, A., El Haj Assad, M. Rosentrater, K. A., Ghnimi, S. & Van Haute, S. (2020). Comparative review of three approaches to biofuel production from energy crops as feedstock in a developing country. Bioresource Technology Reports, 10, 100412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2020.100412
- Onokwai, A. O., Okokpujie, I. P., Ajisegiri, E. S., Oki, M., Adeoyeb, A. O., & Akinlabi, E. T. (2022). Characterization of Lignocellulosic Biomass Samples in Omu-Aran Metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria, as Potential Fuel for Pyrolysis Yields. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 11(4), 973-981. https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.2022.45549
- Ozgun T. Nazlican K & Azize A (2022) Biomass gasification for Sustainable Energy Production: A Review: International journal of Hydrogen energy, 47(34), 15419-15433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.02.158
- Reddy, B.R, & Vinu, R. (2018). Feedstock Characterization for Pyrolysis and Gasification. In S. De, A.V. Agarwal, V.S. Moholkar, & B. Thallada (Eds.), Coal and Biomass Gasification: Feedstock Characterization for Pyrolysis and Gasification (pp.37 -62). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7335-9_1
- T. B., & Das, A. (1988). Handbook of biomass downdraft gasifier engine systems. Solar Energy Research Institute. https://www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/old/3022.pdf
- (2021). Renewables 2021 Global Status Report, REN21 Secretariat. https://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/GSR2021_Full_Report.pdf
- Salam, A.M., Dhami, A.S., Paul, M.C. (2022). Syngas Production and Combined Heat and Power from Scottish Agricultural Waste Gasification—A Computational Study. Sustainability 2022. 14 (7). 3745. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073745
- Şehmus, A., Cengiz, Ö., Fevzi, Y., & Hamit, A. (2011). Effect of n-Butanol Blending with a Blend of Diesel and Biodiesel on Performance and Exhaust Emissions of a Diesel Engine. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 50(15). 8803-9478 https://doi.org/10.1021/ie201023f
- Shivpal V, Addrei M. D., Vinay, K., Preeti, C. B., Nawaz, K., Anuradha S., Xinwei S., Raveendran S., Parameswaran B., Zengqiang Z., Ashok P., Mukesh K. A., & Mukesh, K. A. (2023) Reaction engineering during biomass gasification and conversion to energy. Energy, 266, 126458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.126458
- Siedlecki, M., Jong, W.D., & Verkooijen, A.H.M. (2011). Fluidized Bed Gasification as a Mature and Reliable Technology for the Production of Bio-Syngas and Applied in the Production of Liquid Transportation Fuels—A Review, Energies 2011, 4(3), 389-434. https://doi.org/10.3390/en4030389
- Sittisun, P., Tippayawong, N., & Shimpalee, S. (2019). Gasification of Pelletized Corn Residues with Oxygen Enriched Air and Steam. International Journal of Renewable Energy Development, 8(3), 215-224. https://doi.org/10.14710/ijred.8.3.215-224
- Smail, B., & Mohiuddin, AKM. (2020). Combustion Chamber Design Effect on The Rotary Engine Performance- A Review. International Journal of Automotive Engineering, 11(4), 200-212. https://doi.org/10.20485/jsaeijae.11.4_200
- Speight, J.G. (2015). Handbook of Coal Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119037699
- Toonssen, R., Sollai, S., Aravind, P., Woudstra, N. & Verkooijen, A. H. (2011). Alternative system designs of biomass gasification SOFC/GT hybrid systems. International journal of hydrogen energy, 36(16), 10414-10425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.06.069
- United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022).World Population Prospects 2022: Ten Key Messages.https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/undesa_pd_2022_wpp_key-messages.pdf
- Voća, N, Bilandžija, N., Jurišić, V., Matin, A., Krička, T., & Sedak, I. (2016). Proximate, Ultimate, and Energy Values Analysis of Plum Biomass By-products Case Study: Croatia's Potential. Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, 18 (6),1655-1666, https://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-11653-en.pdf
- Wankel Supertec GmbH. (2022). “About Wankel Rotary Engines.” https://www.wankelsupertec.de/en_rotary_engines.html. Accessed on 22nd April 2022
- World Bioenergy Association. (WBA) (2021), Global Bioenergy Statistics 2021. https://www.worldbioenergy.org/uploads/211214%20WBA%20GBS%202021.pdf
- Zeba H, M.R. Ravi & Sangeeta K (2022) Modelling and simulation of downdraft biomass gasifier: Issues and challenges. Biomass and Bioenergy, 162, 106483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2022.106483
)