Análisis energético del proceso de gasificación de briquetas de cascarilla de arroz y cáscara de coco

Abstract

Ecuador generates large amounts of agricultural waste, which are mostly misused as natural fertilizers, the agricultural sector is considered one of the main sources of economy, facing the great challenge of reducing the uncontrolled burning or dumping of solid waste both rice husks and coconut husks, therefore the objective of this research was to energetically analyze the process of gasification of rice husk and coconut husk briquettes. The methodology implemented had a qualitative and quantitative approach, an experimental design was used since variables such as the type of biomass and the amount of biomass were manipulated and developed in a determined time; the biomass was characterized, and its properties were deduced through proximate and elemental analysis which allowed determining if the product is acceptable as fuel. In addition, pilot tests were carried out in the gasifier for better handling and finally to obtain the synthesis gas, which was analyzed in a gas chromatography laboratory. By means of this methodology it was possible to determine that the mass flow of the fuel, i.e. briquettes, ash and tar were evaluated experimentally for each gasification, in addition, its calorific value was directly related to the amount of energy released when burning briquettes, the synthesis gas had a low concentration of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane and therefore its calorific value was lower. In this context, it is concluded that the calorific value can vary depending on the exact composition of the synthesis gas and the gasification conditions used in the process.