Author : Prabin Haloi

Fuel characteristics play a determining role in the use of a given feedstock for a particular application. So, its necessary that different properties of a biomass are known in order to pre-estimate its value and suitability as a fuel feedstock. The present work studies the properties of certain locally available biomass of north-east India and evaluates these as a gasification feedstock. Comparison has been made to obtain a better and efficient biomass fuel for a small-scale household gasifier. In this work, three locally available biomasses namely mixed-dry-leaves, rice straw and dry sugarcane residue (bagasse) are selected. Samples are prepared and tests performed as CHN, TGA, heating value, ash content volatile matter, moisture content to analyse the property behaviour of the biomasses. A 85E-1 AC/ML automatic calorimeter is used to calculate the calorific values of the three samples under study. For the ash and volatile matter content, a muffle furnace and a vertical tube furnace has been used. The CHN analysis is done using a CHN analyzer CHN5/0 of 2400 series and the TGA used a TGA-50 analyzer. Based on the comparative tests study and analysis, mixed-dry-leaves have turned out to be a better biomass feedstock.

Keywords: Heating Value, CHN, TGA, Muffle Furnace, Small Household Gasifier

Article published in International Journal of Current  Engineering  and Technology, Vol.4,No.4 (Aug- 2014)