Principle of biomass energy conversion
Biomass is an organic substance derived from plants and animals. Photosynthesis is the
process by which chlorophyll in plants absorbs solar energy by converting carbon dioxide
in the air and water from the ground into carbohydrates. When these plants are oxidized,
the energy they absorbed from the sun is emitted to the atmosphere. To generate energy,
organic material must go through a biomass conversion process, of which there are
several options: bio-digestion, combustion, fermentation, gasification, and pyrolysis.
Bio-digestion is the process by which bacteria break down organic material in the
absence of air to produce biogas, which is then converted into energy. Combustion is a
process in which organic matter is burned to produce heat that can then be used to make
power by heating water to produce steam. The steam turns a shaft, where it activates a
generator that creates electricity. Fermentation uses yeast to convert sugar from organic
matters into alcohol, also known as ethanol. Organic matter is broken down into carbon
dioxide, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide using heat (rather than combustion) and a small
amount of steam or oxygen in the gasification process. The end result is a gas mixture
that can be used for heating, electricity generation, and a variety of other purposes.
Finally, in pyrolysis, organic substances decomposes at high temperatures in the absence
of oxygen. Without the presence of oxygen, organic matter does not burn but rather
degrades into a liquid known as bio-oil or a solid known as bio-char or syngas.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of the selected design to other bioenergy conversion
systems?
The chosen design is a downdraft gasifier and it is a gasification reactor that is divided into four
distinct zones: (a) the upper drying zone, (b) the upper-middle pyrolysis section, (c) the lower-
middle oxidation zone, and (d) the lower reduction zone. A gasifier designed bioenergy
conversion has two types: the downdraft gasifier and updraft gasifier.
Type Advantage Disadvantage
Updraft - Small pressure drop - Great sensitivity to tar and
- Good thermal efficiency moisture content of fuel
- Little decency towards of slag - Relatively long time required for
formation start-up of IC engine
- Poor reaction of capability with
heavy gas load
Downdraft - Flexible adaptation of gas - Not feasible for very small particle
- Production to load size of fuel
- Low sensitivity to charcoal dust and - Design tends to be tall
tar content of fuel
What are the design considerations in the establishing systems?
Indeed one of the potential renewable energy alternatives laying the foundations for a
more sustainable energy network is the use of animal and agricultural waste. Animal and
agricultural wastes, as biomass sources, do not jeopardize food security and reduce
environmental impacts, and could therefore make a significant contribution to proper
waste management. Henceforth, a well-designed energy conversion system might be
competitively priced, meet economic constraints, employ appropriate technologies, be
incredibly reliable, and improve people's quality of life.
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