Improving the properties of producer gas using high temperature gasification of rice husk in a pilot scale fluidized bed gasifier (FBG)

Biomass gasification is a well-studied thermo-chemical conversion route for the generating producer gas, a renewable energy carrier, for thermal and power applications as well as for bio-fuel production. High energy efficiency and clean gaseous fuel with low tar and suspended particulate matters (SPM) contents are some of the major challenges with biomass gasification. Herein, we report non-catalytic high temperature (720-855 degrees C) gasification of rice husk using fluidized bed gasifier (FBG). Producer gas mainly comprising of CO and H-2 exhibited good higher heating value (HHV) and lower heating value (LHV) of 3.6 and 32 MJ/Nm(3) respectively. Our experimental observations revealed that 790 degrees C is the optimum temperature for rice husk gasification with high carbon conversion efficiency (91.6%), thermal efficiency (75%) and high gas yield 2.7 m(3)/kg. High temperature gasification also resulted into reduced tar + SPM content (0.33 g/Nm(3)). Rice husk derived producer gas with good heating value and low tar + SPM content can be used as replacement of conventional fossil fuels for thermal applications in many processing industries. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.