abstract
Biomass is one of the most widely available energy sources and gasification is as an efficient process of
converting biomass into combustible gases by partial oxidation at high temperature. In order to increase
the hydrogen content of the producer gas, steam is used along with air in a gasifier. In the present study,
extensive experimental work is carried out in a downdraft gasifier using air and steam both and termed
as air–steam gasification. Upon reaching the steady state conditions with air gasification, saturated steam
is injected into the reduction zone of gasifier and its effects on gasifier performance is evaluated. The
steam addition boosts the water gas shift reaction and increases the hydrogen content in the producer
gas. The dynamic behavior of the gasifier in terms of the variation of composition of producer gas and
zone temperatures with time is incorporated in the present study. The performance of gasification has
been evaluated by varying the operating parameters like moisture content (0.015–0.042 wet basis),
steam to biomass ratio (0.76–1.21) and equivalence ratio (0.1288–0.303). With the variation in the above
parameters biomass consumption rate, composition of producer gas and cold gas efficiency is analyzed.
Equilibrium model is developed to predict the composition of producer gas and calorific values.
Component balances and energy balance are coupled with the equilibrium relations in the model. The
developed model is validated using the experimental data. The effects of moisture content, equivalence
ratio, and steam to biomass ratio on the composition are predicted