Design and performance evaluation of a cyclone gasifier for the thermochemical conversion of sugarcane bagasse
Cyclone gasifier design for sugarcane bagasse conversion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21921/jas.v12i04.15263Keywords:
Cyclone separator, Gasifier, Producer gasAbstract
The global reliance on fossil fuels has led to serious environmental challenges, driving the search for sustainable alternatives such as biomass-based energy. This study focuses on the design, development, and evaluation of a cyclone gasifier optimized for the use of torrefied and powdered sugarcane bagasse. A 1D1.5D cyclone configuration was selected to accommodate the fine particle size range (0.18–0.70 mm) produced through torrefaction and grinding. Experimental trials were conducted with a feed rate of 40 kg/h and an inlet air velocity of 12 m/s at an equivalence ratio of 0.25. The resulting producer gas had a heating value of approximately 5.0 MJ/Nm³, with carbon monoxide and hydrogen concentrations of 18% and 9%, respectively. Theoretical modeling, including pressure drop and effective turn calculations, aligned closely with observed performance. These results confirm the suitability of the proposed cyclone gasifier design for efficient biomass conversion and support its potential for decentralized energy applications.
References
Bhardwaj M and Soni R. 2016 Torrefaction of bagasse for improving its usability as a fuel in cyclone gasifier. Ind J Ecol. 43: 610-612.
Bhardwaj M, Soni R and Singh M C. 2019. Fabrication of a cyclone gasifier for gasification of sugarcane bagasse. Intl J Chemical Studies. 7: 10072-10075.
Gabra M, Salaman H and Kjellstrom. 1997. Development of a sugar cane residue feeding system for a cyclone gasifier. Biomass Bioenergy 15: 143-153.
Kaupp A and Goss J R. 1984. State of the art for small (2-50 kW) gas producer engine systems, Final report to USDA, Forest service, Contact No. 53-39R-0-141, Vieweg, Wiesbaden.
Leith D and Mehta D. 1973. Cyclone performance and design. Atmospheric Env. 7: 527-549.
Mihalski K, Kaspar P and Parnell C B. 1993. Design of pre-separators for cyclone collectors. In Proc. Beltwide Cotton Production Conferences, 1561-68. Memphis, Tenn.: National Cotton Council.
Mohan D, Pittman C U and Steele P H. 2006. Pyrolysis of Wood/Biomass for Bio-oil: A Critical review. Energy Fuels 20: 848-889.
Parnell C B and Davis D D. 1979. Predicted effects of the use of new cyclone designs on agricultural processing particle emissions. ASAE Paper No. SWR-79040. St. Joseph, Michhigan. ASAE.
Richa R, Singh A, Mahapara S, Richa S, Kumar R, Ali M and Khan K. 2022. Mitigation strategies for environmental hazards generated by food industries. SKUAST Journal of Research 24(1): 1-11.
Shepherd C B and Lapple C E. 1939. Flow pattern and pressure drop in cyclone dust collectors. Industrial and Eng. Chemistry 31: 972-84.
Simpson S and Parnell C B. 1995. New low-pressure cyclone design for cotton gins. In Proc. Beltwide Cotton Production Conferences, 680-687. Memphis, Tenn.: National Cotton Council.
Stelt Van der M J C, Gerhauser H, Kiel J H A and Ptasinski K J. 2011. Biomass upgrading by torrefaction for the production of biofuels: A review. Biomass Bioenergy 35: 3748-3762.
Tumuluru J S, Sokhansanj S, Hess J R, Wright C T and Boardman R D. 2011. A review on biomass torrefaction process and product properties for energy applications. Industrial Biotechnol 7: 384-401.
Wang L. 2000. A new engineering approach to cyclone design for cotton gins. M S thesis. College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University, Department of Agricultural Engineering.
Wang L, Parnell C B, Shaw B W. 1999. Performance characteristics for the 1D2D, 2D2D,1D3D and barrel cyclones. ASAE Paper No. 994195. St. Joseph, Michhigan. ASAE.
Wang L, Parnell C B, Shaw B W and Lacey R E. 2006. A theoretical approach for predicting number of turns and cyclone pressure drop. Trans ASABE 49: 491-503.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Bhadwaj M, Rajesh Soni, Singh M C, Chandel R; Rishi Richa; Yogesh Pandey
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Publisher and Authors