Modeling, Simulation and Control of a Biomass Gasifier

Abstract

A developing country like INDIA has massive energy demands. Coal based power plants generates approximately 60% electricity in INDIA. These power plants generate pollution and cause the greenhouse effect, global warming etc. CFA (2014-2015) (Central Electricity Authority) reported that 25894 villages in INDIA are still not electrified and not connected with power grid. 68% of population is living in country side and people are mainly depending on farming and animal husbandry. Gasification is one of suitable way for off grid rural electrification as fuel flexibility is major advantage of gasification. Gasification is converting the solid biomass into producer gas.

This project involves the thermodynamic equilibrium modeling, simulation and conventional controller design using LabVIEW and Matlab platform. Simulation has been carried out using Newton-Raphson method for widely available biomass in INDIA. Among all, cotton stalks has highest amount of hydrogen (23%) and municipal waste has lowest amount of hydrogen (11%) in syngas composition. GUI is developed using Matlab platform for estimate the moisture effect on the produce gas composition at temperature is 1023K and 0.25 ER. Empirical data is used to develop static model to design a controller for gasifier. 10 kWe downdraft gasifier is available with the financial support of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of INDIA. DAQ (Data Acquisition System) is developed using Arduino Uno and LabVIEW (VISA) for the available gasifier system. System identification tool is used for system identification and based on in conventional controller is design. PI control mode is batter for control the gasification process.