Biomass Gasification (Small-scale) - Revision history

Lisafeldmann: /* Further Information */

2018-04-10T15:51:16Z

‎Further Information

Lisafeldmann at 13:17, 2 December 2015

2015-12-02T13:17:31Z

Lisafeldmann at 13:16, 2 December 2015

2015-12-02T13:16:38Z

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Wiki Gardener: /* India */

2014-10-16T13:58:45Z

‎India

Wiki Gardener at 13:53, 16 October 2014

2014-10-16T13:53:26Z

Stefan Salow: /* Further Information */

2014-07-14T13:07:21Z

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Stefan Salow: /* Further Information */

2014-03-31T12:33:34Z

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Fungai Cecilia Sandamu at 11:17, 20 November 2013

2013-11-20T11:17:39Z

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Michael Rohrer: /* Further Information */

2013-11-14T16:00:04Z

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Michael Rohrer: /* Further Information */

2013-11-14T15:56:47Z

‎Further Information

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 <br/>
 = Further Information<br/> =
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 *A list of Manufacturers working in collaboration with Indian National Mission on Bamboo Applications: [http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/bamboogasifier http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/bamboogasifier]
 *The Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) in the United States [http://www.biomasscenter.org/component/search/gasifier.html?ordering=&searchphrase=all www.biomasscenter.org]
 <br/><u>Additional sources of information:</u>
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 = References<br/> =

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:17, 2 December 2015
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−	~~[[Category:Sri_Lanka]]~~
−	~~[[Category:Mali]]~~
−	~~[[Category:India]]~~
−	~~[[Category:Germany]]~~
−	~~[[Category:Biogas]]~~
	[[Category:Biomass]]		[[Category:Biomass]]
		+	[[Category:Bioenergy]]
		+	[[Category:Germany]]
		+	[[Category:India]]
		+	[[Category:Mali]]
		+	[[Category:Sri_Lanka]]
		+	[[Category:Gasifier]]

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 == India ==
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 <br/>
-Recently, two biomass gasification initiatives have caught significant attention as both claim to work with viable business models and hardly any major technical faults: [http://www.desipower.com/ www.desipower.com] and [http://www.huskpowersystems.com/ www.huskpowersystems.com]. A [[Cdf.ifmr.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Empowering-Villages.pdf|comparative analysis]] was conducted by the Centre for Development Finance in 2010.
+Recently, two biomass gasification initiatives have caught significant attention as both claim to work with viable business models and hardly any major technical faults: [http://www.desipower.com/ www.desipower.com] and [http://www.huskpowersystems.com/ www.huskpowersystems.com]. A [http://cdf.ifmr.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Empowering-Villages.pdf comparative analysis] was conducted by the Centre for Development Finance in 2010.
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 == Sri Lanka ==

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-= Introduction =
+= Overview =
-It appears to be a fascinating solution: The conversion of wood or other carbon-rich dry bio-mass into a combustible gas and then into electricity via a generator set – a perfect solution for remote rural areas with a lack of electricity but an abundance of shrubs, straw, rice and peanut husks or other forms of biomass.
+It appears to be a fascinating solution: The conversion of wood or other carbon-rich dry [[Basics_on_Biomass|biomass]] into a combustible gas and then into electricity via a generator set – a perfect solution for remote rural areas with a lack of electricity but an abundance of shrubs, straw, rice and peanut husks or other forms of biomass.
 The technology has been well known for more than a hundred years. In light of rising prices of fossil fuels in 2008 and the debate about climate change, this technology has again come under consideration as a renewable energy source in rural areas. In fact, it is possible to convert dry wood or rice husks into gas and electricity. However, it is not as easy as some manufacturers would like to make us believe.
-The '''Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)''' on behalf of the '''German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) '''has been searching for sustainable solutions to provide access to basic energy services in rural areas and has analysed experiences with small-scale applications of the gasification technology over the last decades. This analysis was based on publicly available documents, as well as interviews and email discussions with experts in this field. This text summarises the results, revealing several difficulties and challenges. It refers to small-scale applications of less than 100 kW only and focuses on potentials for providing basic energy services to rural households and small businesses.
+[http://www.giz.de/en/ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)] on behalf of the [http://www.bmz.de/en/ German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)] has been searching for sustainable solutions to provide access to [[Basic_Energy_Services_-_Overview|basic energy services]] in rural areas and has analysed experiences with small-scale applications of the gasification technology over the last decades. This analysis was based on publicly available documents, as well as interviews and email discussions with experts in this field. This text summarises the results, revealing several difficulties and challenges. It refers to small-scale applications of less than 100 kW only and focuses on potentials for providing basic energy services to rural households and small businesses.
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 The gasifier is essentially a chemical reactor that uses wood chips, charcoal, coal or similar carbonaceous materials as fuel and burns them in a process of incomplete combustion due to a limited air supply.
-Gasification is a process based on pyrolysis at high temperatures (>800°C) and in general long residence time of the hot vapour in the system. This generates as main component a combustible gas. The technical units using this principle are the gasifiers:
+Gasification is a process based on pyrolysis at high temperatures (>800°C) and in general long residence time of the hot vapour in the system. This generates as main component a combustible gas.
 *“Gasifier” stoves gasify the fuel (e.g. wood) and burn this gas directly providing heat for cooking or room heating.
 *Wood gas generators gasify the fuel in a similar way as it happens in the stoves. However in this case the gas, denominated “syngas”, “generator gas” “producer gas” or “wood gas”, is extracted and used as fuel or as feedstock for further chemical processes. The latter is actually the focus of discussions and research activities in industrialized countries. In this case the generator gas can be used in complex chemical processes to produce liquid fuels, the so called 2<sup>nd</sup> generation bio-fuels. The producer gas can also be used to fuel external burners producing heat in ovens, dryers, boilers or kilns. In such applications gasifier systems are called “heat gasifiers”. The requirements on their gas quality are low and hence the gasifier systems are relatively simple and cheap. In “power gasifier” applications the producer gas is used as fuel, in general for internal combustion engines, to produce shaft power for generating electricity, milling, water pumping, sawing of timber etc.
 The following text refers only to this latter process where the gas is used for internal combustion engines for the generation of electricity. And it refers only to small scale applications smaller than 100 kW, only in some cases considering lessons from slightly bigger plants.
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 <u>Even though availability of operation data is limited, the multitude of gasification projects allows for an appraisal of the potentials and challenges:</u>
-<u></u><br/>
+<br/>
 == Technological Appraisal and Challenges ==
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 The economic benefits of small-scale power gasifiers depend on the potential savings of switching from high-cost commercial fuel to locally available low-cost biomass. The potential fuel cost savings have to compensate the higher costs for the initial investment, labour, operation and maintenance.
-<br/>
+<u><br/></u>
-Little reliable operating data on the economy of gasification plants is available. The available experiences indicate:
+<u>Little reliable operating data on the economy of gasification plants is available. The available experiences indicate:</u>
 *The WB study quotes operational costs between US$0.03/kWh and US$0.25/kWh in the 1990s with no or only marginal profitability.
 *Many projects show that even in cases where capital costs did not have to be covered by the users, the system’s profitable operation is difficult.
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 <u>It promises:</u>
 *Sustainable conversion of locally available biomass into electricity for local supplies;
 *Local value chain with income generation for the suppliers of the biomass as fuel;
 *Incentives for reforestation.
 Hence it will remain on the energy development agenda.
+<br/>
 <u>However, many severe challenges remain unsolved:</u>
 *There is no reliable technology readily available.
 *High costs for technical development, repair and maintenance make it unprofitable.
 *Dangerous threats exist to the environment and health due to carcinogenic waste.
+<br/>
 Therefore, at present the application of the gasifier technology for small-scale electricity pro-duction in developing countries seems to be justifiable only in very few cases. Each new plant would be a unique tailor-made facility.
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 <u>The main preconditions for a successfully operating gasification plant are:</u>
 *Major obstacles (economic or environmental) for the use of other fuels (fossil or re-newable) or forms of energy;
 *High and constant availability of cheap appropriate biomass fuel;
 *Availability of an experienced manufacturer;
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 <br/>
 = Further Information<br/> =
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 *GIZ (2011): Small-scale Electricity Generation from Biomass Part I: Biomass Gasification. [http://www.giz.de/Themen/en/dokumente/giz2011-en-small-scale-electricity-generation-from-biomass-part-I.pdf www.giz.de]
 *[https://energypedia.info/images/0/05/Micro_Gasification_2.0_Cooking_with_gas_from_dry_biomass.pdf Micro-gasifiers: much more than „just another improved cook stove”]. In this new HERA handbook, Christa Roth provides an introduction to the concept and the application of wood-gas burning technologies for cooking. Original Version [https://energypedia.info/images/f/f6/Micro_Gasification_Cooking_with_gas_from_biomass.pdf here].
-*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodgas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodgas]
+*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodgas wikipedia.org-Woodgas]
-*Homepage of Indian manufacturer: [http://www.ankurscientific.com/whatisgasification.htm http://www.ankurscientific.com/whatisgasification.htm]
+*Homepage of Indian manufacturer:[http://www.ankurscientific.com/whatisgasification.htm www.ankurscientific.com-whatisgasification]
 *A list of Manufacturers working in collaboration with Indian National Mission on Bamboo Applications: [http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/bamboogasifier http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/bamboogasifier]
-*The Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) in the United States [http://www.biomasscenter.org/component/search/gasifier.html?ordering=&searchphrase=all http://www.biomasscenter.org/component/search/gasifier.html?ordering=&searchphrase=all]
+*The Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) in the United States [http://www.biomasscenter.org/component/search/gasifier.html?ordering=&searchphrase=all www.biomasscenter.org]
 <br/><u>Additional sources of information:</u>
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 <br/>
 = References<br/> =
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 <references />
 [[Category:Sri_Lanka]]

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 *Wheldon, Anne and Jeremy Rawlings (2009): Case Study -Saran Renewable Energy Pvt Ltd, [http://www.ashdenawards.org/files/pdfs/finalist_2009/Saran_case_study_2009.pdf www.ashdenawards.org (pdf)]
 *GIZ (2011): Small-scale Electricity Generation from Biomass Part I: Biomass Gasification. [http://www.giz.de/Themen/en/dokumente/giz2011-en-small-scale-electricity-generation-from-biomass-part-I.pdf www.giz.de]
-*[https://energypedia.info/wiki/File:2014-03_Micro_gasification_manual_GIZ_HERA_Roth.pdf Micro Gasification: Cooking with Gas from Biomass]<br/>Micro-gasifiers: much more than „just another improved cook stove”. In this new HERA handbook, Christa Roth provides an introduction to the concept and the application of wood-gas burning technologies for cooking. Original Version [https://energypedia.info/:File:Micro here].
+*[https://energypedia.info/images/0/05/Micro_Gasification_2.0_Cooking_with_gas_from_dry_biomass.pdf Micro-gasifiers: much more than „just another improved cook stove”]. In this new HERA handbook, Christa Roth provides an introduction to the concept and the application of wood-gas burning technologies for cooking. Original Version [https://energypedia.info/images/f/f6/Micro_Gasification_Cooking_with_gas_from_biomass.pdf here].
 *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodgas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodgas]
 *Homepage of Indian manufacturer: [http://www.ankurscientific.com/whatisgasification.htm http://www.ankurscientific.com/whatisgasification.htm]

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 Due to the discrepancy between the promises of gasifier manufacturers and the numerous questionable or negative experiences on the ground; the discussion within GTZ resulted in the following conclusion: If any private company (producer or developer) claims to have an appropriate solution for a particular situation (considering availability of fuel and maintenance know-how, as well as energy needs and cost limits) it should be given a chance to implement the plant. However, the private company should not be paid for the installation of the plant and its develop-ment directly, but instead should be remunerated for the electricity supplied based on output per kWh. How to translate this into appropriate contractual terms remains a chal-lenge. Similar to corresponding guaranteed feed-in tariffs on the national level, output-based remuneration in small mini grids could lead to more sustainable applications of the gasification technology for rural electrification purposes.
@@ Line 245: / Line 246: @@
 *Homepage of Indian manufacturer Ankur: [http://www.ankurscientific.com/whatisgasification.htm www.ankurscientific.com]
 *A list of Manufacturers working in collaboration with Indian National Mission on Bamboo Ap-plications: [http://gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/bamboogasifier gasifiers.bioenergylists.org/bamboogasifier]
-*The Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) in the United States [http://www.biomasscenter.org/component/search/gasifier.html?ordering=&searchphrase=all www.biomasscenter.org]
+*The Biomass Energy Resource Center (BERC) in the United States [http://www.biomasscenter.org www.biomasscenter.org]
-*The European Biomass Gasification Network of researchers, developers and implementers. [http://www.gasnet.uk.net/ www.gasnet.uk]
-*International Energy Agency (IEA) Task 33 / Thermal Gasification of Biomass [http://www.gastechnology.org/webroot/app/xn/xd.aspx?it=enweb&xd=iea/homepage.xml www.gastechnology.org]
-*Extensive database of the Biomass Energy Foundation on equipment, consulting, small and large gasifier systems, research and support [http://www.woodgas.com/gdatabase.htm www.woodgas.com]
 *Dalili, Simon (2009): Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis - Opportunities and Barriers for effi-ciency and Sustainability. In: UNDP: Bio-Carbon Opportunities in Eastern & Southern Africa. P: 233 - 266. [http://www.undp.org/climatechange/carbon-finance/Docs/ www.undp.org] Good overview of the whole range of different pyrolysis and gasification technologies from charcoal to syngas production as well as of potential processing of syngas to liquid fuels (BTL), the “2nd generation bio-fuels”.
 *Russel, Andy (2008)l: Producer Gas for Power Generation. Practical Answers -Technical Information Online. Dez. 2008. [http://practicalaction.org/practicalanswers/product_info.php?products_id=381 practicalaction.org/practicalanswers] Short, comprehensive overview with focus on small-scale applications in developing coun-tries.
-*Steinbrecher, Nils; J. Walter (2001): Marktübersicht dezentrale Holzvergasung: Marktanalyse 2000 für Holzvergasersysteme bis 5 MW. Öko Institut, Darmstadt. [http://www.oeko.de/service/bio/dateien/de/bio-marktuebersicht-2001.pdf www.oeko.de (pdf)] Comprehensive overview of gasification projects in Germany and other European countries. Description of technology, market and producers and operation experience regarding reliabil-ity, security and readiness for marketing.
+*Steinbrecher, Nils; J. Walter (2001): Marktübersicht dezentrale Holzvergasung: Marktanalyse 2000 für Holzvergasersysteme bis 5 MW. Öko Institut, Darmstadt. Comprehensive overview of gasification projects in Germany and other European countries. Description of technology, market and producers and operation experience regarding reliabil-ity, security and readiness for marketing.
-*Wiese, Lars (2008): Energetische, exergetische und ökonomische Evaluierung der thermo-chemischen Vergasung zur Stromerzeugung aus Biomasse. Research report of TU Ham-burg-Harburg. 222p Based on measurements at existing European biomass gasification plants simulation models of these plants are set up. Afterwards the plant concepts are optimised and evaluated. It can be shown, that the power production in biomass gasification plants can be an energetic and exergetic interesting alternative to existing biomass steam power plants. [http://doku.b.tu-harburg.de/volltexte/2008/382/ doku.b.tu-harburg.de]
+*Wiese, Lars (2008): Energetische, exergetische und ökonomische Evaluierung der thermo-chemischen Vergasung zur Stromerzeugung aus Biomasse. Research report of TU Ham-burg-Harburg. 222p Based on measurements at existing European biomass gasification plants simulation models of these plants are set up. Afterwards the plant concepts are optimised and evaluated. It can be shown, that the power production in biomass gasification plants can be an energetic and exergetic interesting alternative to existing biomass steam power plants.

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 Due to the discrepancy between the promises of gasifier manufacturers and the numerous questionable or negative experiences on the ground; the discussion within GTZ resulted in the following conclusion: If any private company (producer or developer) claims to have an appropriate solution for a particular situation (considering availability of fuel and maintenance know-how, as well as energy needs and cost limits) it should be given a chance to implement the plant. However, the private company should not be paid for the installation of the plant and its develop-ment directly, but instead should be remunerated for the electricity supplied based on output per kWh. How to translate this into appropriate contractual terms remains a chal-lenge. Similar to corresponding guaranteed feed-in tariffs on the national level, output-based remuneration in small mini grids could lead to more sustainable applications of the gasification technology for rural electrification purposes.
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 *Bekele, Ephrem (2007): Design and manufacture of Down-Draft Gasifier Plant for use Prosopis Juliflora as Feedstock: Analysis and Evaluation of Performance.<br/>''Unpublished? research report. During 2005-2006 a down draft gasifier was designed, constructed and tested at Ethiopian Rural Energy Development and Promotion Centre (EREDPC) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.''
 *ECOPLAN (2009): Biomassevergasung (“Gasification of biomass”) und Nutzung des Gases in Verbrennungsmotoren - Eindrücke und Rückschlüsse aus der Praxis aus Besichtigungen indischer Anlagen im Juli/August 2009. 27.p. Draft of mission report on behalf of GTZ. 12/2009 unpublished. Available from Dunja Hof-mann, GTZ OE 4413. Describes technical aspects of gasifier plants at 6 locations in India: All gasifiers with a power output from ~30 – ~500 kW work well and have been working more or less constantly for years. however, none of the plants meets European concepts of safety and pollution control. No economical data has been assessed.
 *Laufer, Dino (2009): Holzvergaseranlage für die Dorfgemeinschaft Batgugammana. 2009. 8p. Extract of PHD thesis. Unpublished. Describes management and economics of one 12 kW gasifier plant in a village in southern Sri Lanka.
 *Schragl, Peter (2007): Short Appraisal of Biomass Gasification for Power Generation. GTZ, Internal paper, 27p. 1/2007. Describes technological principles, the status of gasification (most data from industrialized countries). Gives an appraisal on technological, economic problems. Lists contacts of ex-perts in and around GTZ.