Genset Optimization for Biomass Syngas Operation

Abstract

Abstract"lthough biomass is underrepresented in current methods for power generation, it has great potential to help meet the growing need for clean energy. This chapter details the modification of a gasoline-powered two-stroke genset for operation on syngas from a woodchip-powered gasifier. Generator and engine modifications along with a flexible air/fuel control system are described. Results from genset operation indicate a sustainable power output of W with a biomass consumption rate of approximately kg/hour. Optimum power production was achieved at an air/fuel ratio close to . "fter several hours of operation the engine was disassembled and inspected, revealing significant deposits on the piston and crank case parts, indicating that the engine would require weekly maintenance under such operating conditions.

Potential of fueling spark-ignition engines with syngas or syngas blends for power generation in rural electrification: A short review and S.W.O.T. analysis

“…Gitano-Briggs and Kean [40] X X X X X -The engine can be started directly with syngas due to some modifications: advance by 13 • of the ignition timing, the addition of a 12 µF capacitor, control of air, gas, and fuel mixture flows by an electronic control system -Engine's power is lower compared to gasoline operation.…”

“…Shah et al [39], for example, produced syngas with a heating value of 5.179 MJ/kg (compared to 44.4 MJ/kg for gasoline) from wood chips. Gitano-Briggs and Kean [40] obtained from wood pellets syngas having a heating value of 4.5 MJ/kg. Shivapuji and Dasappa [41] have used four samples of syngas with LHV ranging from 3.14 to 7.55 MJ/kg, and Ran et al [25] fueled an SI engine with syngas of 20.5 MJ/kg.…”

“…This large difference between the energy density of gasoline and syngas may require modifications of the engine to make it run. To fuel with syngas a 650 W Yamaha 950 generator set, which was designed to run on gasoline, Gitano-Briggs and Kean [40] made improvements to the ignition timing, self-induction capacitors, lubrication system, and most importantly the air and fuel flow control. The syngas they used is derived from the gasification of wood pellets in a 5 kW downdraft gasifier and has a lower heating value of 4.5 MJ/kg.…”

“…The syngas they used is derived from the gasification of wood pellets in a 5 kW downdraft gasifier and has a lower heating value of 4.5 MJ/kg. Gitano-Briggs and Kean [40] advanced the ignition timing of the engine by 13 • . This adjustment of the ignition timing advance is explained by Shivapuji and Dasappa [41] as being due to the high laminar velocity of the syngas flame.…”

“…This adjustment of the ignition timing advance is explained by Shivapuji and Dasappa [41] as being due to the high laminar velocity of the syngas flame. A 20 µF capacitor was also added by Gitano-Briggs and Kean [40] to the 15 µF capacitor connected in parallel with the alternator output terminals. They designed and installed an electronic control system commanded by pulse-width modulations to regulate the air and gas flow separately, i.e., the air-fuel ratio, and the throttle, i.e., the engine speed.…”