Thermodynamic Analysis of Lignite Gasification in the Downdraft Gasifier

D. S. Upadhyay; A. K. V. Sakhiya; K. R. Panchal; R. N. Patel

Authors

D. S. Upadhyay Mechanical Engineering Department, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382 481, India
A. K. V. Sakhiya Mechanical Engineering Department, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382 481, India
K. R. Panchal Mechanical Engineering Department, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382 481, India
R. N. Patel Mechanical Engineering Department, Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382 481, India

Keywords:

Lignite, Downdraft gasifier, Particle size, Energy, Exergy

Abstract

Thermodynamic study such as energy and mass balance and exergy analysis were carried out for different particle sizes of lignite in present work. An atmospheric pressure 10 kWe downdraft gasifier was used for the experimentation purpose. Six particle sizes of lignite such as 13-16 mm, 16-19 mm, 19-22 mm, 22-25 mm, 25-28 mm and 28-31 mm were identified for thermodynamic analysis. Mass balance closure and energy balance closure were found in the range of 0.95-1 and 0.90-0.95 respectively. Exergy efficiency remained in the range of 23.66% -29.64% for all selected particle sizes. Exergy efficiency was found to be at maximum with 22-25 mm lignite size.