Performance analysis of updraft gasifier

Abstract

Biomass is becoming very tremendous and promising renewable energy source in the world over usage of fossil fuel. However it is still necessary to identify points of origin and quantity of generation to recognize the unknown potential of biomass energy source. Mangoes are cultivated in tropical climates throughout the world enabling enjoying it all over the year. Large-scale productions are carried out to produce various food types such as chutney, pickles, jelly, juice, smoothie and ice-cream in industrial scale. As a result mango pit which is one form of biomass generated basically as an industrial waste. Therefore mango pit can be utilized to generate energy by applying an appropriate technology of energy generation. In addition Coconut shell and Gliricidea are already established biomass energy sources in Sri Lanka. This study intends to develop an updraft gasifier for mango pits and compare performance with Coconut shell and Gliricidea. Considering abundant availability of mango pit, it has been introduced as a new biomass energy source to Sri Lanka. A laboratory scale updraft gasifier was designed and fabricated to conduct experiments. Results show that conversion of mango pit into producer gas by gasification is giving an efficient energy recovery at this stage and is a good solution for large scale mango pit waste produced from related industries.