A bio mass gasifier system to generate electricity

In order to generate multiple applications of electricity out of agricultural waste, a villager in Rajasthan has developed a Bio mass Gasifier system, to convert agriculture waste into electrical power. The system used for converting the bio mass into producer gas which is used as a fuel in running diesel engine, can be useful for application mainly to operate the pump sets in remote fields and houses for lifting water, to operate saw machines, flour mills and to generate electricity for domestic uses.

Ahmedabad-based society for research and initiatives for sustainable technologies and institutions (SRISTI) has extended a support worth Rs 10 lakh to the innovator, Rai Singh Dhaiya. "About 20 kgs of dry bio-waste can run an engine of about 30HP for an hour and the innovator is supplying 25, 35 or 50 HP DG Set (with used engine and alternator) at about Rs. 2-2.5 lacs per piece. More than 58 units have already been installed by Dhaiya in various villages," said Rajeev Singhal, Chief Innovation Manager of Grassroots Innovations Augmentation Network (GIAN) North.

The biomass gasifier system comprises an updraft gasifier surrounded by water jacket, a gas cleaning cum cooling train (in two stages) and a modified engine which does not need diesel/petrol. The producer gas containing tar and char is passed through filter cum cooler. The clean and cool gas is passed to second stage of filter having various size of grits arranged in specific manner. The tar and char free gas is passed to engine through mixing chamber. Ratio of air to producer gas is adjusted by hearing the knocking. The bio-waste may include agricultural residues, wood chips, straws etc. which in turn can be used to run an engine, stoves and furnace.

On an average wood requirement is 1 kg/kw-hr. Initial cost of 10 kW, 25 kW, 30 kW and 35 kW biomass gasifier system is Rs. 1.25 lakhs, Rs. 2 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs and Rs. 3.25 lakhs respectively. Besides the productive use of agricultural waste, the system reduces the dependency of diesel etc to run the generating set and can run in the absence of electricity or power cut. Currently, SRISTI has helped the innovator apply for patent.

While SRISTI has been scouting innovations by farmers, artisans and women at the grassroots level, GIAN scales up innovations from the database of the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), which was set up by the Department of Science and Technology.