Module 4

1. Biomass Gasification and types

1. Gasification
Gasification is a thermochemical process that converts biomass
(like wood waste) into a mixture of combustible gases by partial
combustion at high temperatures .
It is a specific form of pyrolysis where biomass is decomposed into
charcoal, oils, tars, and gas.
The process occurs in a reactor called a gasifier

Basic Reaction:
Biomass + limited air → CO + CO₂ + CH₄ + H₂ + N₂ + water vapor
This mixture of gases is known as producer gas or synthesis gas
(syngas).
🔄 Steps in Gasification:
1. Drying
Biomass is first dried (to remove water)
2. Pyrolysis
Biomass is heated without oxygen, turning it into charcoal and
gases
3. Combustion
A small amount of burning gives heat for the process
4. Cracking
Big molecules (like tar) break into smaller gases
 5. Reduction
Oxygen is removed from gases to make them flammable again
GASIFIERS AND THEIR CLASSIFICATIONS
A gasifier is a reactor in which biomass undergoes several physical
and chemical transformations to produce syngas.
1. Fixed Bed Gasifiers
0• Biomass fuel flows concurrent or countercurrent to the
gasification medium (air, steam, or oxygen).

✅ 1.7 Updraft Gasifier (Opposite Flow)

 Fuel comes from top, air from bottom.
 Both move in opposite directions.
 Gas comes out from the top, ash falls down.
 Makes gas with more tar (not clean).
 Works well with dense fuels, not good for fluffy
ones. Used in: Boilers, heaters.
✅ 1.8 Downdraft Gasifier (Same Direction)
 Fuel and air both come from top, move down together.
 Gas comes out at bottom.
 Tars are burned at the center, so clean gas is produced.
 Starts in 5–10 minutes.
 Better than updraft gasifier.
Used in: Baking ovens, dryers, engines.

✅ 1.9 Cross-draft Gasifier (Side Air Flow)

 Fuel from top, air from side, gas goes sideways.
 Needs dry and low ash fuels like charcoal or wood.
 Produces high CO, low hydrogen and methane.
 Works well with dry air and fuel.

💨 1.10 Fluidized Bed Gasifier – Fuel Mixes with Sand

Imagine a big cooker with sand inside.
How it works:
 Sand (or ash) is heated until it's very hot.
 Fuel is added into it.
 Air is blown from below to mix the sand and fuel.
 Fuel heats up fast and turns into gas.
🎯 No separate zones. Everything (drying, heating, gas making)
happens together.
Best for:
✔ Wood waste
✔ Crop waste
………………………………………………………………………

2. Gasifier Biomass Feed Characteristics

👉 Every gasifier cannot use all types of biomass.
Even though some companies say “our gasifier works with any fuel,”
that’s not true.
A gasifier works well only if the fuel has the right properties. These
are called feed characteristics.

✅ 1. Energy Content & Bulk Density

 Energy content = how much heat the fuel can give.
 Bulk density = how tightly packed the fuel is.
 Fuel with high energy and good bulk density means:
 o Longer running time
o Smaller gasifier needed

✅ 2. Moisture Content
 Moisture = water inside the fuel.
 If moisture is high, it:
o Wastes heat (used for drying instead of gasifying)
o Increases pressure in cooling/filtering parts
 So, we need dry fuel (preferably less than 20% moisture)

✅ 3. Dust Content
 All biomass creates some dust.
 Too much dust:
o Blocks the engine
o Increases filter cleaning
o Raises maintenance costs
 So gasifiers must be designed to limit dust.

✅ 4. Tar Content
 Tar is a sticky substance formed during pyrolysis.
 It:
o Blocks engine parts (like valves and carburetor)
o Is hard to remove
  Gas should have less tar, but cleaning is usually done using
filters and coolers.

✅ 5. Ash and Slagging

 Ash is what’s left after burning the fuel (non-burnable part).
 If ash melts, it forms clinker (slag) which:
o Blocks the fuel flow
o Stops ignition
 Two ways to manage slag:

1. Low temperature operation – keeps ash solid

(use steam/water)

2. High temperature operation – melts ash and removes it

(needs design for tapping it out)

✅ 6. Biomass Feed Sources (Types of Fuel)

Here are some common types of biomass fuels:
1. Bioethanol sources:
o Sugarcane, corn, wheat
2. Biodiesel sources:
o Sunflower seeds, soybean, rapeseed, peanuts,
jatropha, coconut, palm oil
3. Second generation sources (wood, grass, waste):
o Forestry/agriculture by-products: stems, stalks, wood
residues
o Municipal solid waste
 o Dried waste used for heat and electricity
4. Anaerobic digester fuels (used to make biogas/methane):
o Organic waste from markets, food industries, manure, etc.

✅ Note:
 Only charcoal and wood are tested to work reliably in
most gasifiers.
………………………………………………………………………

3. Application of biogas gasifier

1️⃣Motive Power – (To run machines)

The gas from gasifier can be used to run engines and agricultural
machines.
o Used for:
 Diesel engines
 Water pumps
 Tractors, harvesters
 Special engines like Stirling engines
Example: Farmers can use this gas to run their tractor or water pump.

2️⃣Direct Heat Applications – (To give heat directly)

The heat from the gasifier can be used to dry, bake, or melt things.
o Used for:
  Drying crops like ginger, tea, cardamom
 Baking tiles and pots
 Melting non-ferrous metals like aluminium
 Boiling or cooking in industries like:
✔ Turmeric boiling
✔ Jaggery making
Example: A small industry can use this gas to boil turmeric or dry tea
leaves.

3️⃣Electric Power Generation – (To make electricity)

The gasifier can be used to generate electricity for homes, farms
o Can produce:
 Small power (few kilowatts)
 Big power (hundreds of kilowatts)
Example: A village without electricity can use a gasifier to power lights
and fans.

4️⃣Chemical Production – (To make useful chemicals)

The gas can also be used to make industrial chemicals.
o Used to produce:
 Methanol
 Formic acid
Example: These chemicals are used in factories and labs.
…………………………………………………………………………
 4. BIOGAS AND ITS COMPOSITION
o What is Biogas?
 Biogas is a clean, cheap, and non-polluting gas.
 It is made from organic waste like cow dung, kitchen waste,
or sewage.
 Main gas in biogas is Methane (CH₄) – it burns easily
and gives energy.

🔥 Main Uses of Biogas:

 For cooking, heating, and lighting
 Works like LPG, burns with a blue flame
 It is used in biogas stoves, with 60% efficiency

D Composition of Biogas:
Gas Percentage

Methane (CH₄) 50% to 70%

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) 30% to 40%

Other gases (like H₂S, N₂, H₂) Traces (very small)

🔥 Properties of Biogas:
 Methane (CH₄) = 1 carbon + 4 hydrogen atoms
 Biogas is about 20% lighter than air
 Burns at temperature: 650°C to 750°C
💡 Energy Equivalence (1,000 cubic feet of biogas ≈)
 600 cubic feet of natural gas
 4.6 gallons of diesel
 5.2 gallons of petrol

🐄 Daily Biogas from Cows:

 A family with 4 cows or buffaloes can get about 175 cubic feet
of biogas daily
 This is enough for a 5-member family for cooking and lighting

✅ Extra Benefits for Rural People:

 No irritating smoke
 Easy to clean utensils
 The leftover (called slurry) is a very good natural fertilizer
…………………………………………………………………………

5. Anaerobic digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that occurs in the
absence of oxygen, where microorganisms break down
biodegradable materials such as plant residues, animal waste, and
sewage to produce biogas.
Biogas mainly consists of:
• Methane (CH₄)
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂

2.3.1 Process Stages of Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion occurs in four main biological and chemical
stages:
1. Hydrolysis
In this stage, complex organic materials such as carbohydrates,
fats, and proteins are broken down into simpler molecules like
sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids.
 This makes it easier for bacteria to use the material.
 Some products like hydrogen and acetate are
directly used by methanogens.
2. Acidogenesis
In this phase, acidogenic (fermentative) bacteria act on the
hydrolysis products.
 They convert them into volatile fatty acids, ammonia
(NH₃), carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and
other by-products.
3. Acetogenesis
The volatile fatty acids from acidogenesis are further digested
by acetogenic bacteria.
 This produces more acetic acid, CO₂, and hydrogen (H₂)
which are essential for the final stage.
4. Methanogenesis
This is the final and most crucial stage where methanogenic
bacteria convert acetic acid and hydrogen into:
 Methane (CH₄)
 Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
 Water (H₂O)
Methanogenesis is highly sensitive to pH variations (too acidic or
too alkaline conditions).
Overall Reaction:
C₆H₁₂O₆ → 3CO₂ + 3CH₄
……………………………………………………………………….

6. Biogas production
o What is Biogas Production?
 Biogas is produced when bacteria break down organic waste
(like cow dung) without oxygen.
 This process is called Anaerobic Digestion.
 It happens in an airtight container called a biogas plant or
digester.

2.4.1 Parts of a Biogas Plant

The biogas plant is made of bricks and cement and has 7 parts:
1️⃣Mixing Tank
 Above ground
 Mix cow dung + water in 1:1 ratio → makes slurry
 Slurry goes to digester through inlet
2️⃣Digester Tank (Main Part)
 Underground tank
 All chemical reactions and biogas production happen here
 Two pipes:
o Inlet pipe – for fresh slurry
o Outlet pipe – for used slurry
 A partition wall and separator help in mixing properly
3️⃣ Dome or Gas Holder
 The top part of the digester
 Stores biogas
 Can be of two types:
 o Fixed dome – made of bricks & cement (doesn’t move)
o Floating dome – steel drum that moves up/down with gas
pressure
4️⃣ Inlet Chamber
 Connects mixing tank and digester
 Made slanted so slurry flows easily into digester
5️⃣ Outlet Chamber
 Where used slurry (manure) comes out
 Goes to a pit near the plant
6️⃣Gas Outlet Pipe & Valve
 Carries gas from dome to kitchen or lights
 Valve controls gas flow
7️⃣ Foundation
 Strong base to hold everything
 Waterproof to prevent leakage

🔄 2.4.2 Working of Biogas Plant – Step-by-Step Step 1:

Mix cow dung + water in the mixing tank → pour slurry into the
digester Step
2:
Fermentation begins inside digester → biogas is formed
Step 3:
Gas collects in the dome (gas holder) and creates pressure
Step 4:
Pressure pushes slurry up into the inlet & outlet chambers
Step 5:
If the valve is closed, gas pressure builds → slurry bubbles/froths
Step 6:
Open the gas valve → gas goes to stove/lights → slurry level drops in
chambers
Step 7:
After using the gas:
 Remove used slurry from outlet
 Add fresh slurry into the digester
 More slurry → More gas!
…………………………………………………………………………
✅ 2.4.3.1.2 Advantages of Fixed Dome Biogas Plant
1. 💰 Low cost – Cheaper than floating dome type
2. 🧱 Simple design – No moving parts
3. 🧱 Strong & long life – Made of bricks and cement; lasts 20+
years
4. ⬇️Underground – Saves space and protects from damage
5. Stable operation – Not much affected by day-night
temperature changes
Here's a very simple and easy-to-read version of 2.5 Benefits of
Biogas, broken into short points so you can understand quickly and
remember easily:
✅ 2.5 BENEFITS OF BIOGAS (Simplified)
🔋 1. Energy Production
 Biogas gives heat, light, and electricity.
 1 m³ of biogas = approx. half litre of diesel (calorific value
~6 kWh/m³).
 Used in:
o Small plants → cooking & lighting
o Large plants → engines & generators for power

🌱 2. Turns Waste into Fertilizer

 Biogas plants convert organic waste → high-quality organic
manure.
 This manure:
o Is richer in nitrogen than compost
o Keeps nitrogen from evaporating (unlike open-
air composting)

💉 3. Health & Hygiene Benefits

 Biogas cooking = no smoke → fewer diseases like:
o Cough, asthma, eye infections, lung issues
 Also kills harmful organisms:
o Bacteria: typhoid, cholera
o Parasites: hookworm, roundworm, tapeworm
  Food cooks better and is more digestible

4. Reduces Workload (Especially for Women)

 Saves time spent on:
o Collecting firewood
o Cleaning smoky utensils
 Keeps homes smoke-free, cleaner and more hygienic

🌳 5. Environmental Benefits
 Protects forests by reducing wood use
 Helps in:
o Soil conservation
o Less overgrazing
o Cleaner air and water

🌍 6. Global Climate Benefits

 Biogas = renewable energy
 Reduces:
o CO₂ emissions (less fossil fuel use)
o Methane release (which is a strong greenhouse gas)
…………………………………………………………………………
 6. PROBLEMS IN USING TIDAL ENERGY
⚡ 1. Power Supply Issues
 Only works ~10 hours/day when tides move
 Electricity often generated when it's not needed
 Low power output with current designs

💸 2. High Cost
 Very expensive to build barrages and tidal plants
 Maintenance is costly
 Fish ladders, locks add to cost

🌍 3. Environmental Problems
 Disrupts local ecosystem (plants, birds, marine life)
 Mudflats disappear – birds lose feeding area
 Changes water flow, harming fish and wildlife
 Flood risk due to changed tidal levels

🐟 4. Wildlife Impact
 Fish get killed by turbines (e.g. salmon)
 Fish ladders are not fully effective
 Wildlife habitats near the barrage can be destroyed

5. Location Limitations
  Needs:
o Tidal range ≥ 7 meters
o 2 high + 2 low tides/day
o Basins or gulfs – very few places
 Barrages block river outlets to sea
 Locks are needed (slow & costly)

🚚 6. Distance from Users

 Power is generated far from cities
 Transmitting electricity is hard and costly

📝 Summary Table:

Problem Area Details

⚡ Power Intermittent, low output, poor timing

💸 Cost High construction & maintenance costs

🌍 Environment Disrupts marine life, mudflats, causes erosion

🐟 Wildlife Fish killed, habitats destroyed

📍 Location Limited suitable sites near oceans only

🚚 Transmission Far from users, needs long-distance lines