Gasification and power generation characteristics of rice husk and rice husk pellet using a downdraft fixed-bed gasifier

In the present study, gasification of rice husk and rice husk pellet was performed in a bench-scale downdraft fixed-bed gasifier. Gasification was conducted in a temperature range of 600-850 degrees C, fuel feeding rate of 40-60 kg/h and gasification agent, air, feeding rate of 50-75 Nm(3)/h. From the results, synthetic gas heating value and cold gas efficiency of more than 1300 kcal/Nm(3) and 70% were achieved, respectively. The heating value of synthetic gas and cold gas efficiency from rice husk pellet gasification shows higher value than that of rice husk gasification. To make power generation, the CD800L reciprocating engine designed to basically use LPG fuel was conducted by supplying synthetic gas produced from rice husk pellet gasification. It was confirmed that stable power generation of 10 kW was achieved. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.