Summary of discussion paper on status,
potential and challenges of promoting
biomass gasification technologies for
industrial applications in Africa
S Dasappa
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore 560 012
India
Presented at the First High-level Biofuels Seminar in Africa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, (July –Aug 2007)
Contents
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Background
Statement of the problem
Biomass as a source of Electricity
Biomass gasification technology
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Barriers to the technology
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Status on the technology
Experience from India
Suggested plan of action
Background
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African region which accounts for 13 % of the world population
generates about 3.1 % of the world electricity generation
The per captia electricity utilization is about 515 kWh (WEC,
IEA, 2002), which is probably the lowest compared with the
world scenario
Access to electricity ranges from greater than 90 % in the
northern Africa to about 26 % in the sub- Saharan African
region and in the rural area to less than 1 %
It is evident that biomass has been a major source of energy in
the region, amounting to about 60 % of the total energy
consumption against a 14 % of the world energy scene.
Renewable technologies in the
African region
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Karekezi et al (2007), summaries that renewable
energy resource for electricity generation has never
been exploited due to policy and investment levels
On the hydro only 7 % of the potential electricity
generation is being practiced today.
About 9 MWp of solar PV is being installed in Africa,
with Kenya accounting for about 3.6 MWp
On the wind power, very little has been exploited in
the countries with high wind potential, while some of
them land locked, with very little wind speed
Biomass as a source of energy
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Biomass as an energy source is being used for non- electricity
applications and accounts for about 50 % - 60 % of the primary
energy source in Africa.
Co-generation in sugar industry is an important biomass sector
which is gaining importance in Africa, but currently accounting
for about 15 % of the overall potential.
Mauritius is an excellent example generating about 40 % of the
total power using co-generation.
Biomass for electricity
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Biomass as a source of generating electricity at small scale has
not been explored in the African region except in South Africa.
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There have been attempts in the recent time by different countries in the
region to establish demonstration projects. An example towards this is the
recent tender by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda
for gasification system package to meet heat and power requirements at
small capacity (web.worldbank.org/projects/templates).
There have been many attempts by some of gasification development
groups from various countries towards establishing demonstration
gasification based electricity generation in the African region, but has not
made any significant impact.
Biomass to electricity in the
region
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The Carbo Consult and Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, has established a
gasification technology - System Johansson Gas Producers in
South Africa.
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From the available information (http://www.carboconsult.com/),
the company has a few installations in South Africa and has also
been interacting with other countries outside the region.
The technology package is to operate on dual fuel mode as well in
the gas alone mode. There are very few systems in the region.
Statement of problem
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Karekezi et al (2007) has highlighted various factors
that influence the electricity generation including
technology barrier and policy barrier.
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One of the statements in the paper suggests that use of
small scale renewable as a means for poverty alleviation,
using local material to meet the local energy needs.
They suggest solar energy as an option.
Biomass as a source of
electricity
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It may be appropriate to mention that the biomass gasification
technology, would meet the set objective of
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using local material to provide reliable grid quality electricity to meet the energy
demand for both the rural as well as the urban sector.
Provide employment potential – a mitigation option for poverty alleviation
It is important to recognize that in Africa with sufficient land, water and
sunshine, biomass is (can be made) available in abundance.
Based on these potential and reserves, biomass gasification can also
contribute towards providing a well-balanced energy generation mix in
the continent.
Biomass gasification technology is an option to replace/substitute the
existing oil based electricity generation remote locations. It is also
important to recognize this modern bio energy technology is a
promising candidate for mitigating the climate change issues.
Gasification process
Process that converts solid fuel to gaseous fuel
 Used in an internal combustion engine for power
generation to substitute fossil fuel
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Diesel engine – for dual fuel application
Gas engine – for single fuel
Used in heat application
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Low temperature – drying, etc
High temperature – furnaces, kilns, etc
Types of gasifiers
Air (~ 50-70%)
Biomass
Exit to burner
Volatile generation
due to heat from
burnt gases
Grate
2.
Stratification (upward
propagation of flame front)
B
A
Air
Combustion
zone
Ash pit
Updraft
1.
A
Broader than in
closed-top.
Generates tar
Suitable for thermal application
B
Grate
o
1200 - 1400 C
o
Hot gases
(700 - 800 C)
Down draft
Generates clean gas
Suitable for electricity application
Gasification technology
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The elements
Reactor
Cooling and
Cleaning system
Producer gas
CO: 20 + 1%; CH4 : 3 + 1%, H2 : 20 + 1%,
CO2 : 12 + 1% and rest N2.
Engine
Performance
Biomass consumption : 1 – 1.3 kg/kWh
Some feature of Reactor geometries
Combustion
zone
Storage bin
for biomass
Closed top down draft
• World War II Design
• Specific to wood chips
• Material issues
•Maintenance
•Life
Open top dual air entry
• Recent developments at IISc
• Agro residues can be used
• Ceramic lined reactor
•Like a furnace
Status of gasification technology
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Various group in India and Europe are
working in this area for over 2 decades
There has been commercial operations
in India to meet both heat and power
applications
Limited commercial operations in
Europe
Barriers for technology spread
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Like any new technology, even biomass
gasification faces key barriers for the
spread
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Technical
Information
Policy and Institutional
Financial
Human Resource
Technical Barriers
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There are a number of technical barriers that need to be addressed on priority
in order to enhance the credibility of technology packages in the local industry,
and to build national capacity to manufacture, build, operate and maintain new
renewable energy based mini-grids. Some of the key technical barriers are as
follows:
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There is no comprehensive data on the requirement of the electricity demand country
wise at village level.
Information on the existing fossil fuel based power generation in the region is not
available
Norms and standards in terms of renewable energy performance, manufacture,
installation and maintenance are weak and/or non-existent.
Local manufacturing capacity and/or assembly of renewable energy technology
components are currently lacking, although the knowledge, skills and expertise to
operate renewable energy systems are available in the region.
There is a limited technical capacity to design, install, operate, manage and maintain
renewable energy based mini-grids
Information Barriers
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Given the low connectivity and literacy levels, prevalent poverty and
sparsely populated rural areas, information barriers have been
identified as important barriers to renewable energy utilization and
development in Africa. Some of key information barriers are as follows:
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There is no sufficient statistical data available on the renewable energy resources in
terms of locations, sizes, and other characteristics to better define project
opportunities for investors.
A central information-clearing house on technologies does not exist. Instead, the
information is scattered among various institutions and ministries.
There is lack of information on comprehensive evaluation of renewable systems
already installed in the country. Many potential investors and equipment suppliers are
not fully informed about the relevant government policies and programs.
Awareness level among public as well as decision-makers about the potential of
renewable energy resources for providing electricity and energy services is low.
Some inputs on the technology
barriers
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Some of the barriers indicated earlier
has been addressed in some detail in
India, which can be an input to the
region
Brief history on the gasification
technology at IISc
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Gasification research commenced in 1980’s
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Emphasis was on 5 hp diesel pump sets
Over 450 Man-Years of R&D effort
Evolved State-of-the art technology
Undergone critical third party evaluation – by various groups
Commercial applications ~ five years
Ten manufacturers in the field (India and abroad)
At IISc (Open top down draft technology - distinctly different from
other designs)
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Technology package for agro residue as the fuel
Power range 5 – 1000 kWe
Both power and high quality thermal applications
Over 350,000 hours of operational experience
Gas cleaning system for turbo-charged engines
Biomass used in IISc systems
Typical applications serviced
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Electricity generation
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Village electrification
Captive power generation
Grid linked power generation
Energy Service Company - ESCO
Thermal application
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Low temperature (drying, etc., )
High temperature (furnaces, kilns, etc., )
Village electrification using gas
engines – Kasai village, MP
1 MWe Grid Linked – Arashi Hi-tech
bio power system
EMISSION ~ Qualifies for
CDM Benefits
PRIME MOVER
GASIFIER
Producer gas
Electricity @
440 V
Flue gas
FEED STOCK
Overall efficiency > 28%
GRID LINKAGE
440 V to 11 kV
DRIER
EFFLUENT
TREATMENT
PROCESSOR
Recycled water
POWER EXPORT
Hindustan pencils is a leading pencil
manufacturer of the country.
2,000
1,800
1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800
600
400
200
0
Jun-03
Jan-04
Aug-04 Feb-05
Month
500
1,400
450
1,200
1,000
350
300
800
250
600
200
150
400
100
200
50
0
Jun-03
Jan-04
Aug-04
Feb-05
Month
Sep-05
0
Mar-06
Biomass, g/kWh
Diesel, ml/kWh
400
Sep-05
100,000
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Mar-06
Units generated per
month
Hours of operation per
month
•Generates saw dust during the process
•Gasifier designed to operate on briquetted saw dust
•Over 20000 hrs of operation
JENIPAÚBA, CHIPAIÁ, Brazil
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Cliente: Governo do Estado,
ELETRONORTE
Electricity for community
Project at various stages in
the implementation
Most of them would be
operational by the end of
this year
5 MW th for heat application
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Gasification system at M/S Tanfac industries, Cuddalore
Total hours of operation > 30,000
Last 5 months summary
Hours of
operation
Biomass
FO
Consumed replaced,
Tonnes
kL
May-06
702
651
165
Jun-06
Jul-06
Aug-06
Sep-06
660
509
642
640
621
476
640
640
158
121
163
163
Hours of operation 3153 hrs
Biomass used
3028 Tons
Oil replaced
770 k Ltrs
Savings
0.1 M USD
Some economics
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Capital cost:
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Thermal
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1 kg of fossil fuel replaced by 3.5 kg of biomass
Biomass consumption, 1.0 – 1.4 kg/kWh
Operating cost
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Fuel cost
- 2.5 – 3 US c/kWh
Maintenance cost
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~ 2000 USD/kW
~ 1500 USD/kW
Power
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Up to 100 kW capacity
Beyond 100 kW
Upto 100 kW capacity – 2.5 – 3 US c/kWh
Beyond 100 kW
– 1.0 – 2.0 US c /kWh
Grid cost in India –
6 – 10 c
Fossil fuel based captive generation
- 12 – 20 US c/kWh
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On the biomass as a raw material
Biomass Atlas for India
SWOT analysis – fossil power
Strengths
Weakness
Decentralised; Established
technology, Significant research
input to meet various end use,
Centrally processed fuel
available; Sales, service and other
support network well
established; Energy cost (was) a
small fraction of the product cost;
Ideal fuel for transport
Fuel price linked to international
market (now); Driven by
governmental subsidy pattern;
Global warning (now) ;
Competition in product line –
establish to reduce the fuel cost
(now) Energy costs higher than grid
cost
Opportunities
Threats
Small scale industries growing
rapidly; Gestation period nearly
zero;
Environmental ; Governmental
dependence on the pricing
SWOT analysis – Biomass power
Strengths
Weakness
Decentralised; Strengthens selfreliance; Environmentally sound;
Locally available fuel; Potentially
adequate to replace fossil fuelled
energy conversion
Replicability not yet proven (Low
visibility); Capital cost may
(claimed) be too high; Fuel
dispersed; Standardization of
technology package with services,
etc
Opportunities
Threats
Costs are declining; Gestation
period low; Power generation costs
lower than fossil fuel
system; Fossil fuel substitution
very high; Potential very high;
Power sector reforms may under
emphasize biomass based systems
Available for continuous duty operation
Where is the biomass?
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Significant amount of biomass
energy is currently used
Issue to be addressed at various levels
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Charcoal is being used as a fuel
extensively across the region
1 kg of charcoal needs 3 kgs of wood
(good quality) about 40 % of the energy
is lost
An efficient biomass combustion system
to meet the cooking needs would release
the pressure on wood for charcoal
One possible solution !
A device to use pellets
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A stove with efficiency in
the range of 50 % using
agro residue pellets
Features
•
Smokeless
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One hour burn time
•
Rugged, attractive, control
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Benefits
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Clean air – Health,
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Convenience – control, speed
•
Less dependency on external factors
How much biomass for electricity?
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For a 100 house village
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Drinking water – 7.5 hp pumset
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Illumination – 2 light points per house
(CFL) (5 hrs)
Street lights – 10 nos
30 m3/day
Total units per day – 35 kWh
Biomass requirements – 50 kg/day
Agricultural operations – 3000 hrs per year
45000 kWh – 150 kg/day – 45 tons per year
Further on Biomass ……
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Like fossil fuel technology biomass also
requires professional approach on collecting,
processing and delivery mechanism
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This has happened in sugar and paper sectors
Some biomass power plants are adapting this
mechanism
Costs can vary
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Nationally – all transactions within the country
Locally – may have implications on the economics
Suggested plan of action
The typical flow of various activities towards the implementation program
covering the technology and capacity building can divided into various activities
as indicated below to be in place in the region;
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A mechanism to document the requirement of the country with details regarding
communities (villages, hamlets, etc) without electricity and proximity to the grid.
This information should be analyzed along with the country’s electrification
program to establish the priority communities for further action.
Establish the resource potential by generating biomass atlas which covers,
agricultural area, forest plantations and waste lands.
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Ground level survey
Agricultural ministry’s data
Satellite images
This would help in establishing the fuel availability
Suggested plan of action
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Technology package evaluation
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Demonstration of technology packages
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Establish through an institutional mechanism to document available technology packages for the
region
Short list the technology package for implementation
A structured demonstration based on the above information needs to be addressed at national level
with a few clusters. Cluster based approach provides an scaling effect and facilitate appropriate
service support
Monitor the performance using institutional mechanism and document
Capacity building
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An important component in the overall success of any implementation plan
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Training at various levels, technicians to planners on the aspects related to distributed power generation
using biomass gasification system.
Plan for Knowledge transfer rather and hardware transfer for the technology packages on the long run
Establish R and D facilities for addressing issues related to adaptation of the technology to local
condition
Training of youth at schools and colleges as a part of curriculum
Establish facilities for manufacturing, testing using standard engineering practices.
Training of personnel for overall monitoring of the program
………………………..Thank you