Performance and characteristics of updraft gasifier integrated with cyclonic syngas burner for clean hot gas production from biomass pellets

Abstract

Global energy demand continues to increase, intensifying the need for sustainable energy solutions. Biomass, as a renewable and abundant resource, address this challenge by providing clean energy. The biomass pellets were gasified in a fixed-bed updraft gasifier and combusted in a cyclonic burner at varying biomass feed rates. The syngas composition varied significantly with feed rate, with the highest heating value of 4.32 MJ/Nm3 observed at 14.04 kg/h, indicating optimal operation. The thermal efficiency improved to 47.05% with increasing feed rates, whereas the steam quality increased from 4.6% to 20.1%. In addition, the heat output rose to 36.06 kW, demonstrating effective energy recovery. Carbon conversion efficiency slightly declined from 95.71% at 10.90 kg/h to 92.80% at 17.04 kg/h, attributed to incomplete combustion at higher feed rates. Suspended particulate matter emissions ranged from 40 to 146 mg/m3, well below the 320 mg/m3 standard, whereas increased fly ash presented management challenges. Burner temperatures ranged from 815 to 949°C, suitable for industrial water heating, steam generation, material drying, and high-temperature processes like glass and metal fabrication. These findings highlight the integrated updraft gasifier and cyclonic burner as a unique and sustainable solution for clean and efficient energy production in diverse industrial processes.