Performance of Micro-scale Gasifier based Power Generation Unit using Pigeonpea Stalk Pellets with Mass and Energy Flow Analyses

This study investigated micro-scale electricity generation through pigeonpea stalk pellets gasification using a downdraft fixed-bed portable gasifier. Gasification was conducted at a temperature range of 700 to 750°C, with a fuel feeding rate of 3 to 4 kg h^-1 and gasification agent (air) feeding rate of 6.2 to 7.5 m³ h^-1. The results showed that the average synthetic gas heating value was 4.9 MJ m^-3 and cold gas efficiency was 66%. A petrol engine was used to generate power by feeding syngas produced from the gasification of pigeonpea pellets. Rice husk char was very effective in reducing tar in synthetic gas as filter media as well as catalyst for tar cracking. A stable power generation of 2 kW for 100 h was achieved. Very high loss of thermal power was recorded due to the adaptation of microscale electricity generation system in this study. Findings of this study could be helpful in devising standalone electricity generation system for rural households based on locally available biomass with lesser cost than kerosene-based gen-set.