Bioenergy Potential of Three Fast-Growing Trees: A Pilot Gasification Study for Thermal Applications
Oyimang Tamuk
Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
KT Parthiban
Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
Nilav Ranjan Bora *
Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
Dipankar Brahma
Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
Abhigyan Rajkhowa
Department. of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam (785013), India.
Vasanth V
Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
Jugabrat Sarma
Department. of Sericulture, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam (785013), India.
Pragati Patil
Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
Ashick Rajah R
Forest College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Mettupalayam, Tamil Nadu (641301), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study was conducted during March-October, 2023 at Forest College and Research Institute, Mettupalayam - 641301 which investigated the gasification potential of three fast-growing, short-rotation species (Khaya senegalensis- KS 01, Mitragyna parvifolia- MP 01, and Terminalia bellirica- FCRITB 13) for renewable energy generation. All three species were found to have favorable characteristics for a potential bioenergy plant in the analysis. A downdraft gasifier was used to convert the biomass into syn-gas, and the calorific value, thermal conversion efficiency, and elemental composition were analyzed. The results showed that Khaya senegalensis- KS 01 had the highest syn-gas composition (CO: 30.15%, H2: 13.13%, N2: 48.82%, CH4: 1.71%), calorific value (6.04 MJ m-3) and thermal conversion efficiency (59.92%). The elemental composition analysis revealed that Mitragyna parvifolia- MP 01 had the highest carbon content (49.33%), while Khaya senegalensis- KS 01 had the highest hydrogen content (5.94%). These findings suggest that Khaya senegalensis- KS 01 is a promising candidate for biomass gasification due to its high syn-gas yield and thermal conversion efficiency.
Keywords: Biomass, Syn-gas, calorific value, renewable energy, gasifier