Performance of oil palm kernel shell gasification using a medium-scale downdraft gasifier

ABSTRACT This article focused on the performance of oil palm kernel shell (PKS) gasification using a medium-scale downdraft gasifier with a feedstock capacity of 500 kg at a temperature range of 399–700°C and at a feed rate of 177 kg/h. This article is important for evaluating the reliability of PKS gasification for commercial power generation activities from biomass. The process performance was evaluated based on the syngas calorific value (CV), syngas flow rate, and its cold gas efficiency (CGE). The syngas flow rates and CVs were measured using a gas flow meter and a gas analyzer in real time. The data obtained were then analyzed to evaluate the performance of the process. The results showed that the CGE of the process was moderately high (51%) at 681°C, with a high syngas CV (4.45–4.89 MJ/Nm3) which was ideal for gas engine applications. The PKS gasification performance increased when the reactor temperature increased. Projections were made for the CGE and the syngas CV for the PKS gasification with increased reactor temperatures and it was found that these values could be increased up to 80% and 5.2 MJ/Nm3, respectively at a reactor temperature of 900°C. In addition, the estimated power that could be generated was about 600 kWe at a maximum operation of 500 kg/h of feed rate. Based on the analysis, a medium-scale PKS gasification is observed to be a promising process for power generation from biomass due to the favorable performance of the process.

[1]  Dennis Y.C. Leung,et al.  A review on the energy production, consumption, and prospect of renewable energy in China , 2003 .

[2]  Yun Hin Taufiq-Yap,et al.  The effect of particle size of CaO and MgO as catalysts for gasification of oil palm empty fruit bunch to produce hydrogen , 2012 .

[3]  Shaharin Anwar Sulaiman,et al.  Downdraft gasification of oil palm frond: effects of temperature and operation time. , 2013 .

[4]  Laihong Shen,et al.  Experimental investigation on hydrogen production from biomass gasification in interconnected fluidized beds , 2012 .

[5]  T. Fransson,et al.  Downdraft gasification of pellets made of wood, palm-oil residues respective bagasse: Experimental study , 2011 .

[6]  Jie Feng,et al.  Formation of tar and its characterization during air–steam gasification of sawdust in a fluidized bed reactor , 2010 .

[7]  S. Sulaiman,et al.  Downdraft gasification of oil palm frond: effects of temperature and operation time. , 2012 .

[8]  Murat Dogru,et al.  EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS OF OLIVE PITS GASIFICATION IN A FIXED BED DOWNDRAFT GASIFIER SYSTEM , 2013 .

[9]  J Swithenbank,et al.  Pyrolysis and combustion of oil palm stone and palm kernel cake in fixed-bed reactors. , 2010, Bioresource technology.

[10]  C. Muraleedharan,et al.  Thermo-Chemical Analysis of Biomass Gasification by Gibbs Free Energy Minimization Model-Part: II (Optimization of Biomass Feed and Steam to Biomass Ratio) , 2013 .

[11]  Anita Ramli,et al.  Gasifier selection, design and gasification of oil palm fronds with preheated and unheated gasifying air. , 2012, Bioresource technology.

[12]  Haji Hassan Masjuki,et al.  A review on electricity generation based on biomass residue in Malaysia , 2012 .

[13]  N. Panwar,et al.  Role of renewable energy sources in environmental protection: A review , 2011 .

[14]  Kj Krzysztof Ptasinski,et al.  A review of the primary measures for tar elimination in biomass gasification processes , 2003 .

[15]  T. Mahlia,et al.  A review on energy scenario and sustainable energy in Malaysia , 2010 .

[16]  Kunio Yoshikawa,et al.  Tar removal from biomass pyrolysis gas in two-step function of decomposition and adsorption , 2010 .

[17]  Pichet Ninduangdee,et al.  Study on burning oil palm kernel shell in a conical fluidized-bed combustor using alumina as the bed material , 2013 .

[18]  Heejoon Kim,et al.  The reduction and control technology of tar during biomass gasification/pyrolysis: An overview , 2008 .

[19]  M. Mohammed,et al.  Gasification of oil palm empty fruit bunches: a characterization and kinetic study. , 2012, Bioresource technology.

[20]  Mustafa Kamal,et al.  Waste-to-wealth: green potential from palm biomass in Malaysia , 2012 .

[21]  T. Mahlia,et al.  A review on energy scenario and sustainable energy in Indonesia , 2011 .

[22]  Kunio Yoshikawa,et al.  Characteristics of tar, NOx precursors and their absorption performance with different scrubbing solvents during the pyrolysis of sewage sludge , 2011 .

[23]  Agus Haryanto,et al.  Upgrading of syngas derived from biomass gasification: a thermodynamic analysis. , 2009 .

[24]  M. H. Chakrabarti,et al.  The effect of temperature on various parameters in coal, biomass and CO-gasification: A review , 2012 .

[25]  F. Abnisa,et al.  Optimization and characterization studies on bio-oil production from palm shell by pyrolysis using response surface methodology. , 2011 .

[26]  Ku Halim Ku Hamid,et al.  Air gasification of palm biomass for producing tar-free higher heating value producer gas , 2011 .

[27]  S. Yusup,et al.  Syngas production from downdraft gasification of oil palm fronds , 2013 .

[28]  Kamil Kaygusuz,et al.  Renewable energy sources for clean and sustainable energy policies in Turkey , 2011 .

[29]  Somrat Kerdsuwan,et al.  Steam gasification of oil palm trunk waste for clean syngas production , 2012 .

[30]  Murat Dogru,et al.  GASIFICATION OF APRICOT PIT SHELLS IN A DOWNDRAFT GASIFIER , 2009 .

[31]  P. Arun,et al.  Thermochemical Analysis of Biomass Gasification by Gibbs Free Energy Minimization Model—Part: I (Optimization of Pressure and Temperature) , 2013 .

[32]  Chao Gai,et al.  Experimental study on non-woody biomass gasification in a downdraft gasifier , 2012 .

[33]  W.A.K.G. Wan Azlina,et al.  Air gasification of empty fruit bunch for hydrogen-rich gas production in a fluidized-bed reactor , 2011 .

[34]  R. Wilk,et al.  Theoretical and experimental investigation of biomass gasification process in a fixed bed gasifier , 2011 .

[35]  M. Hassan,et al.  The treatment of oil palm empty fruit bunch fibre for subsequent use as substrate for cellulase production by Chaetomium globosum Kunze , 1997 .

[36]  M. P. Morales,et al.  Biomass gasification for electricity generation: Review of current technology barriers , 2013 .

[37]  A. Floren,et al.  ' " ' " ' " . " ' " " " " " ' " ' " " " " " : ' " 1 , 2001 .

[38]  Islam Ahmed,et al.  Hydrogen and syngas yield from residual branches of oil palm tree using steam gasification , 2011 .