Model Scheme on Village Gasifier  Technology                                  

 

1. Title of the Project:

    Installation of Village Gasifier

 

2. Introduction:

      It is well recognized that energy demand of the society is increasing and the fossil fuel availability is decreasing. There is also thrust on increasing the energy conversion efficiency and search for alternate sources of energy. One such alternate energy is biomass energy. Biomass has been fuelling the energy needs of the society for a long time and many developing countries have biomass energy as a major share in servicing the energy needs. Combustion of biomass is well known route for energy generation and has been practiced for a variety of applications right from cooking to power generation. One another route of using biomass for energy generation is gasification. Gasification is thermo-chemical conversion of solid biomass to a product gas known as producer gas which could be used in an internal combustion engine or end use thermal device. More than two decade of research and development at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has resulted in a state-of-the-art technology of IISc Biomass Gasification (IBG) system. This technology qualifies for reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emission and carbon-trading through clean development mechanisms. Presently more than 40 gasification systems of this design are working at various places in the country and overseas both for power generation as well as thermal use. Some of these projects have recorded high percentage of utilization with accelerated returns to the investor.

 

2.1 Open top re- burn down draft Gasifiers - The State-of the art Technology

         Biomass is a natural substance available, which stores solar energy by the process of photosynthesis in the presence of sunlight. It chiefly contains cellulose, hemi cellulose and lignin, with an average composition of C6H10O5, with slight variations depending on the nature of the biomass. Theoretically, the ratio of air-to-fuel required for the complete combustion of the biomass, defined as stoichiometric combustion is 6:1 to 6.5:1, with the end products being CO2 and H2O. In gasification the combustion is carried at sub-stoichiometric conditions with air-to-fuel ratio being 1.5:1 to 1.8:1. The gas so obtained is called producer gas, which is combustible. This process is made possible in a device called gasifier, in a limited supply of air. Typical composition of the gas after cooling to ambient temperature is about 18-20% H2, 18-20% CO, 2-3% CH4, 12% CO2, 2.5% H2O and rest, N2. The lower calorific value of the gas ranges is about 4.7 – 5.0 MJ/Nm3, with a stoichiometry requirement of 1.2 to 1.4 kg of air for every kg of producer gas. One of the pre-requisites for the producer gas to be suitable for internal combustion application is the cleanliness of the gas apart from the composition. With the refined gas cleaning system of IISc it has been possible to generate producer gas that is as clean as natural gas. Producer gas can either be used in mono or dual-fuel mode in reciprocating engines. In case of mono-fuel mode of operation, the gas is fuelled to a SI engine, whereas in the dual-fuel mode it is operated along with small quantity of liquid fuel (high-speed diesel, furnace oil or bio-diesel) in a compression ignition (CI) engine. The choice of mode of operation is entirely dictated by the economics of operation. Also, producer gas could be used for a variety of thermal applications that   require heat up to 1200° C.

 

2.2 Special features of IISc Technology

·    Cost of power generation as low as Rs 2.50/unit electricity generated has been achieved.

·    Open top, twin entry system ensures a better thermal environment compared to the conventional closed top model- relatively higher through put for the same reactor size and also better gas quality

·    Available in modules upwards of 5 kg/hr to 1100 kg/hr (5 kWe to 1.2 MWe)

·    Multi-fuel capability – forest and plantation residue, agro residue in briquetted form with a maximum moisture content of 15%

·    High gasification efficiency > 80%

·    Superior gas quality, suitable for turbocharged R/C engines

·    Low cost of electricity generation and competitive with the grid tariff

·    Environmentally sound – low NO2 in the engine exhaust

·    Value addition products ~ activated carbon, along with energy

 

3. Objectives of the Project:

·    To improve the quality of life of the village community by generating electricity using local woody biomass resources in a sustainable way to meet the energy demands of a village which has no electrification.

·    To reduce the drudgery in the rural areas, encourage literacy and economic activities by providing supply of electricity after dark

·    To build capacities and provide technical support to the target communities regarding operation and maintenance aspects of the technology.

 

4. Proposed Activities and Methodology:

·    Selection of the suitable village for establishment of the technology.

·    Assessment of electricity demand of the village.

·    Actual installation of the technology.

·    Formation of the Village Gasifier Management Committee and training of local people for day-to-day operation of the gasifier plant

·    Plantation of fast growing local species to serve as continuous source of fuel for running the gasifier.

·    Identifying Technical Institute in and around the villages for providing technical and hand holding support to the NGO and Village Gasifier Committee for installation, maintenance and repair of the gasifier

 

Methodology

 

4.i. Selection of the village:

 

The village will be selected on the following criteria:

 

(a)    The village has to be an un-electrified one (i.e. the village should not have electricity for more than 4-5 hours/ day)

(b)    The fuel requirement for running the gasifier for 1600 hrs per year is approximately 22 metric ton (for 10 kWe capacity plant).        For 1 kWH of electricity generation, 1.5 -1.6 kg of bio mass is required at low capacity in the range upto 20 kW while in higher capacity 50 kW and above it is about 1.2 kg/kWh. The amount of bio mass required would be 2 quintals for 8 hours/ day operation. 2 quintals of biomass would generate 140 units of electricity.

(c)    The NGO must ensure the availability of biomass in required quantity for production of electricity.

 

4.ii. Assessment of Demand:

Before the submission of proposal a baseline survey must be conducted by the NGO for the assessment of electricity demand which must focus on electricity requirement for different activities such as, households, flour mills, pumping of water for irrigation purpose, street lights etc. Aggregating all these demands the NGO can arrive at a figure of net requirement of electricity for various purposes in the village. The baseline survey questionnaire has been annexed.

On the basis of the assessment of the demand the capacity of the gasifier will be determined.

A sample calculation of electricity demand for a typical village of 100 house holds is given below for reference.

For a village with 100 households and 2 points per house, a total of 200 power points would be required. Assuming 14 watt Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), the total load is about 2.8 kW.  Street light at 40 W and 10 no’s is about 400 W. A drinking water tube well at 5 kW capacity.

·    The above services can be met with a 10 kW biomass based  power station

·    With and additional activity of irrigation and micro enterprise, along with domestic illumination, street lighting and drinking water, a 20 kW biomass based power station is advised.

 

4.iii. Actual Installation of the technology:

To install the gasifier a building shed is required with a approximate built up area of about 350-400 sq. ft for a 10 kWe system and about 500 – 550 sq ft for a 20 kWe system. Order will be placed to IISc for actual installation of technology, which should take 3-4 months. The RR and MCs of CAPART of concerned regions must facilitate the NGOs in arranging the land for installation of gasifiers, if required.

 

 

4.iv. Running the Gasifier for generating electricity

 

 

For four hours  

 

A.                  Quantity of biomass required per hour for electricity generation

 

For a 10 kWe unit about 65 – 70 kg of biomass would be required per day for four hours of electricity generation i.e. about 16 – 18 kg/hr considering the system operates at maximum load. The biomass must be sun dried or having a maximum moisture content of 12%. As moisture content in green biomass is higher (30-40%), the requirement of green bio mass would be about 100 kg per day, i.e. about 25kg/hr. For 20 kWe system the requirement of bio mass would be double.

 

 

B.                   Procedure for Start Up of Gasifier

 

·    If electricity is available in the village, then switch on the Power Supply for starting the gasifier.

·    If no electricity is available in the village, the first step would be to start a small Diesel Generator (DG) set, provided as a part of the gasifier package for starting the gasifier. With the available electricity from the generator, the gasifier will be started and the next step would be to flare the gas in the burner for combustion to take place. This operation should not take more than 10-15 minutes.

·    After this the gas engine is started using producer gas generated from the gasifier. The internal plant load is changed over from DG set to gas engine.

·    The DG set is then switched off.

·    The gasifier and the gas engine continue to operate and power will be generated which can be distributed in the village.

·    The above operation can be handled by one single person after receiving training. No special skills are required for day to day operation.

 

 

C.Distribution of the power

 

If there are already existing poles in the village, the same may be used for the distribution of electricity, provided permission has been taken from the electricity board and the grids have been segregated and necessary electrical protection/safety measures are taken care.

 

In case there are no existing poles in the village for distribution of electricity, new poles must be erected with necessary cabling. The distance between two consecutive poles must be 50m. The standard size of the wire used for cabling is 16mm2. The requirement of the cable to cover the entire village will be determined based area and distance between the houses in the village.

  

  

    D.Steps for closing the Gasifier

 

·    Reduce the load on the engine and let the engine operate on its internal load.

·    Switch off the suction blower.

·    Disconnect the gas supply to the engines by first closing the gas valve and then opening flare valve. This operation switches off the engine

·    Ignite the gas in the flare after ensuring oxygen in the gas is below 2%.

·    Close the air nozzles of the reactor by filling water.

·    Allow the fumes to come out from the reactor top

·    Close the reactor top with water seal cover so that no gas puffs out.

 

 

For six/ eight hours  

The operation procedure for start up and closing the gasifier would be the same as explained above. The quantity of bio mass required for running the gasifier for electricity generation would differ. Dry biomass of 110 kg/day and 144 kg/day would be required for 6 and 8 hours of electricity generation respectively. If it is green biomass (30 -40% moisture) this would be 150 and 200 kg/day respectively. All other information holds good for long duration operation.

 N.B: Information regarding the procedure for operation of the gasifier and gas engine shall be provided by gasifier supplier (agency identified by IISc) in a form of an operation manual. This would be a comprehensive manual containing start-up, shut-down, dos and don’ts about the plant. 

 

4.v. Formation of Village Gasifier Management Committee:

 

The scheme envisages funding for first year only, after the first year of funding by CAPART for the running of gasifiers, it is expected that the Village Gasifier Management Committee will have to maintain and run the gasifier by charging the running cost from the users.

 

A village gasifier management committee will be formed comprising of 15 -20 persons to take decisions on various operation and maintenance issues from time to time. The committee should focus on continuous running of the gasifier and ensure timely collection of revenue from the electricity users in lieu of the amount of electricity consumed by the user.  The Village Gasifier management Committee must ensure that the revenues are collected from the users from the beginning of the project itself so that the collected money may be utilized for running the gasifier once the funding is withdrawn after the first year. 

 

The committee may also employ a successful SHG on payment basis for running of the entire affairs of the production, distribution of electricity and revenue collection. The SHG may be given training by the NGO as to how to manage the entire affairs of gasifier.

 

4.vi. Plantation of fast growing local species

For continuous running of the gasifier locally available fast growing species can be planted to serve as a source of fuel for the gasifier. Some of the recommended species are Eucalyptus, Casuarina, Populus species, Gmelina arboria, Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia nilotica. Weeds such as Ipomia, Prosopis juliflora, forest residues from industrial waste such as saw dust, bamboo dust in briquetted /compacted form may also be used. The fuel requirement for running the gasifier for 1600 hrs per year is approximately 22 metric ton.

 

4.vii. Quantification of Bio Mass:

Five hectare land is required for plantation of fast growing species in which trees can be planted with a spacing of 2X2 mts. Every year plantation in 2.5 hectares of land will be harvested which will meet the demand of 22 tones of bio mass required.

 

5. Profile of the Project areas (To be specified by the NGO):

           State

           District

           Block

           Police Station

           Panchayat(s)

           Village(s)

           Demographic details

The duration of the project will be for a period of 1 year

 


7. Work Plan:

 

Sl No

Activities

Month

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

1

Identification of the Village

 

Will be completed before submission of project proposal

2

Assessment of electricity demand in the village

Will be completed before submission of project proposal

3

Plantation of fast growing species and maintenance

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

4

Actual  installation of the technology (including civil works at the site)

 

#

#

#

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

Training to the village gasifier management committee, SHGs for running the gasifier and manage all other affairs dealing with it

 

 

 

 

#

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

Technical support

 

 

 

 

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

7

Reporting and Documentation

 

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

 

8. Budget:

 

Activity

Cost (In Rupees)

10KW

20KW

Non Recurring Cost

Cost of Gasifier*

10,00,000

19,00,000

Cost of the building for the gasifier which

 

2,00,000

Gasifier Room: (4X4X6)m3

Engine Room:

(3X4X5)m3

Store Room:

(3X3X4)m3

5,00,000

Gasifier Room: (5X4X7)m3

Engine Room:

(6X4X5)m3

Store Room:

(4X3X5)m3

Cabling for domestic illumination without metering

1,00,000

1,00,000

Power distribution within the village along with erection of 21 poles per km with cabling  (in case there are no electricity poles in the village, the distance between the two consecutive poles is 50 m)

2,00,000

2,00,000

Transportation and Insurance of Gasifier

1,00,000

1,00,000

Training and Capacity Building (2 days for 25 participants)

7,900

8,400

Honorarium for trainers @ Rs.500/- per day

1,000

1,000

Travel allowance for resource person

500

500

Raw material

1000

1500

Stationary

500

500

Food arrangements for 35 people @ Rs.75/- per head per day for 3 days (75X35X2)

4900

4900

Total

16,07,900

28,08,400

Recurring Cost

Fuel for 1600 hours per year (dry at 10% moisture)

11,000

11,000

Start up diesel @ 0.5L per start up

7,000

(200ltrs)

10,000

(300 ltrs)

Manpower for day to day operation of the gasifier (@ Rs. 1500/- per month for 2 persons)

36,000

36,000

Plantation and maintenance of bio mass

20,000

20,000

Operation and maintenance of the gasifier (@Rs.1000/- per month)

12,000

12,000

Administrative Expenses (10% of program cost)

1,69,390

2,89,740

Travel Expenses

5,000

5,000

Contingency

12,000

12,000

Total

2,72,390

3,95,740

Grand Total

18,80,290

32,04,140

 

*Note:

·          The above cost includes Erection and commissioning and one month Operation and Maintenance by the gasifier supplier.

·          The costing is indicative and will be subject to actuals.

 

9. List of Biomass Gasifier Licensees of IISc

 

1.

Mr. Aklavya Sharan

Chief Operating Officer

Netpro Renewable Energy (India) Pvt. Ltd.,  # 139/B, 10th Main

Rajmahal Vilas Extension, Bangalore 560 080

Tel. 080-23613457, 23613585    

Fax: 080-23611584

5.

Mr. Cecil Antony

Managing Director

Synergy Renewable Energy (P) Ltd.

Trishul”, Ground Floor

35 Rowland Road, Kolkata 700020 (W.B)

Tel: 033-24745146,  24851362

 

2.

Mr. T.R. Krishnaswamy

Energreen Power Ltd

# 6, Third Street, Nandanam Extension,

Chennai-600035

Tel: 044-24321339, 24962663    

Fax: 044-24321339

 

6

Mr. Navin Raheja

Director

OVN Bio Energy Private Ltd.

BT 1/90, Mangolpuri Industrial Area, Phase I

Delhi – 110083

Tel: 011-27911596, 27911603    

Fax: 011-27916379

3.

Mr. Amar Kumar

Bioresidue Energy Technology Private Limited

S-2, Digvijay Apartment, 1st Cross

Ganesha Block, Sultanpalya, R.T. Nagar P.O.

Bangalore 560 032

Tel. 080-23431533        

Fax: 080-23534503

7.

Mr. V.S.Prakasam Kumar

Managing Partner

Arrya Hi-tech Energy

76 Patel Road, Ram Nagar,

Coimbatore 641009       

Tel: 0422-2232897, 2236558

Fax: 0422-2233755

 

4.

Mr. S. Adhavan

Administrative Director

M/s Aruna Electricals Works Pvt. Ltd.,

Komgampattu, Rampakkam Post,

Villupuram District, Pin – 605105.

Tel: 0413-2699485        

Fax: 2699547

8.

Mr. Rajesh Bhat

Vice President – Sales and Marketing

Sun Technics Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd.

660/1, 100 ft. Road, Indiranagar

Bangalore 560 038

Tel: 080-25207191                                

Fax: 080-41261932

 

10. Details of the Organization:

 

N.B.

1.      NGOs must ensure that the land used for setting up gasifier plant should not be under any dispute.

2.      There should be availability of shrubs to be used as a source of fuel for the gasifier for an initial period of one year.

 

Annexure I

Questionnaire for Baseline survey

Name of village, district and state

 

 

 

 

No. of house holds and population

 

 

Is the village electrified

Yes/NO

If the village is electrified, then no. of hours of electricity availability in a day

 

Connected load per house hold

 

 

Major occupation of the villagers

 

 

Average annual income

 

 

No. of irrigational pump sets in village

 

 

Are there any local/cottage industries/macro enterprises, if yes then details

 

 

Biomass type, availability and cost

 

 

Is any social forestry close by, if yes the details

 

Availability and source of water for the village

 

 

Is there supply of drinking water in the village, if yes then is it community/individual

Yes/No