Fuel supply and performance aspects of biomass gasifier-engine-generator system

Electrical power generation from renewable energy sources is considered a promising option for self sustained growth with almost no impact on environment. In this regard, harnessing energy from biomass which is a indigenous substitute for the imported petroleum was investigated experimentally. Wood pieces were converted to producer gas by a thermo-chemical process called gasification. This low heating value gas was cooled and cleaned before supplying to the engine coupled to an electrical generator. The engine was run in dual fuel mode using producer gas as primary fuel and diesel as pilot fuel. The gasifier-engine-generator system was tested at various electrical loads from 0 kW to 2.7 kW. The maximum diesel replacement percentage achieved was about 78 %. If the fuel supply system is improved further, then the diesel replacement percentage can be expected to increase.