On Gasification of Different Tropical Plant-based Biomass Materials

In this study, the characteristics of synthetic gases derived from different plant-based biomass feedstocks are studied using a downdraft gasifier. The biomass materials are oil palm frond, mangrove wood, sugarcane bagasse and coconut husk. Understanding of these characteristics would lead to proper judgment on the suitability of co-gasification of the different biomass materials. The temperature profiles in the gasifier are recorded and the syngas compositions are estimated. It is found that the mangrove wood has the highest energy content (22,292 J g-1) at 11% moisture content (wet basis). It is also observed that mangrove wood has nearly similar properties to that of oil palm fronds as compared to sugarcane bagasse and coconut husks.