Sustainable Energy: Producer Gas as an Energy Resource

Abstract

Global warming and pollution due to Carbon emissions is an immediate worldwide concern. Fossil fuels continue to be a prime source for third world countries. Large Industrialised nations continue to pour pollution into the environment with impunity, expecting CO2 absorption by the forested underdeveloped nations. Replacement of fossil fuels by other carbon neutral and carbon negative technologies is now imperative at a global level. In this regard, Producer gas is proposed as an alternative energy cource. Biogas obtained by bacterial action on waster matter, results in high N and C sludge content after methane production. This sludge can be processed to give Producer Gas. Other crop waste like coconut husk, agricultural wastes and cellulosic wastes could be used directly. The slow reaction times of biogas (methane) production by bacterial action is avoided. The Producer gas can be stored or used directly as a substitute for methane which has hazardous qualities. In the earlyhalf of the 20th century it was piped directly to homes for cooking. Producer or Water gas was a petrol substitute in times of scarcity.