STUDY OF BIOMASS GASIFICATION TO INCREASE ITS CALORIFIC VALUE

In view of energy and environmental problems associated with the use of fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and gas) in power generation, an increasing attention is being paid world-over by the scientists and technocrats for the utilisation of renewable energy sources in power generation, metallurgical industries etc. There are various type of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, biomass energy etc. out of these renewable energy sources, biomass is more economically viable for almost all the continents in the world. Biomass is a carbonaceous material and provides both the thermal energy and reduction for oxides, where as other renewable energy sources can meet our thermal need only. Amongst all the solid fuel like coal etc. biomass is the purest fuel consisting of very lesser amount of ash materials. The power generation potential data for renewable energy sources in India clearly indicates that the biomass has potential to generate more than 17000 MW of electricity per year in India. However, the country is locking in exploitation of biomass in power generation. Till date, India has been capable to generate only 2000 MW (approx.) of electricity per year in spite of declaration of several incentives by the govt. of India. Hence, there is an argent need to increase the utilization of biomass in power generation. The present project work is a positive step towards energy and environmental problems facing the world. The presently selected forestry biomass species has no any commercial use and are underutilized. Presently, co-firing (coal + biomass) has been proved to be more attractive and economically viable technique for power generation. In the present work, briquettes were prepared by mixing non-coking coal from Orissa mines and the related biomass species in different ratio (coal: biomass = 95:05, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20). The objectives have been to examine their energy values and power generation potential.