Adaptation and Performance Evaluation of Updraft Biomass Gasifier Stove with Sawdust as Fuel

Abstract

This study aims to adapt and evaluate an updraft biomass gasifier stove using sawdust biomass. It was a cylindrical gasifier having a diameter of 32.5cm*40cm height and a rectangular box-like base that served as a set and had a primary air hole of 20cm*6cm sliding type door. Renewable biomass-derived fuels could readily replace fossil fuels in many energy utilization applications with environmental benefits. Gasification is a form of biomass energy conversion producing a fuel that could substitute for fossil fuels in high-efficiency power generation. The future of energy is looking promising for biomass energy as one of the most important renewable energy sources. This work has been carried out to adapt, construct, and test an applicable biomass gasifier stove. This is for producing producer gas from locally available biomass fuel. The gasifier was constructed and tested on Water Boiling Test (WBT). The test was run using sawdust as feeding fuel. Various parameters such as manufacturing materials and technique, operation, fuel type, and primary and secondary air inlets were provided and evaluated. The updraft gasifier stove was evaluated at a biomass feeding rate of 0.5kg per batch. The results obtained from this study show a combustion efficiency of 84.2% and a thermal efficiency of 30.6% respectively. Therefore, the output could provide modern energy services for basic needs and productive applications.

Keywords: Ash, Biomass fuels, Construction, Fuel efficiency, Gasification, Updraft gasifier,

DOI: 10.7176/JETP/14-1-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2024