Unit-4
1. Biomass Combustion: Biomass Stoves
Biomass stoves are devices that burn organic material (biomass) like wood, agricultural
residues, animal dung, or charcoal for cooking and heating.
Key Points:
● Traditional stoves: Often open fire or "three-stone" stoves; low efficiency (~10–15%)
and high smoke emissions.
● Improved biomass stoves:
○ Designed to enhance thermal efficiency (up to 30–40%)
○ Reduce indoor air pollution and fuel consumption
○ Often include chimneys, better combustion chambers, and air regulation
features
Types:
● Natural draft stoves: Rely on natural airflow (e.g., improved chulhas)
● Forced draft stoves: Use small fans to improve combustion (e.g., Oorja stove)
● Gasifier stoves: Convert biomass to syngas and then burn the gas for cleaner
combustion
2. Design, Construction, and Operation of Biomass
Combustors
Designing and operating efficient biomass combustors involves understanding combustion
principles, fuel properties, and environmental conditions.
Design Considerations:
● Combustion chamber geometry: Should retain heat and ensure complete combustion
● Airflow control: Primary and secondary air inputs for staged combustion
● Insulation materials: Clay, ash, vermiculite, or other materials to retain heat
● Portability vs. Fixed units: Depending on user needs
Construction:
● Local materials (e.g., mud, bricks, cement, metal parts)
● Community involvement helps with adoption and maintenance
Operation:
● Fuel feeding: Batch-fed (manual) or continuous-feed (for larger systems)
● Startup and shutdown procedures
● Ash removal and cleaning
● Monitoring temperature, smoke, and efficiency
3. Fixed Bed Combustors – Types
These are among the oldest and most commonly used types of biomass combustors. Biomass
is placed on a fixed grate or bed, and air flows through it to support combustion.
Types:
a. Updraft Gasifier
● Air enters from below, fuel added from above
● Hot gases pass through the biomass bed, picking up moisture and tar
● Pros: Simple and robust
● Cons: High tar content in gas, not ideal for engines
b. Downdraft Gasifier
● Air and gases flow downward with the fuel
● Tar is cracked as gas passes through hot charcoal bed
● Pros: Cleaner gas, good for engine use
● Cons: More complex
c. Crossdraft Gasifier
● Air enters from the side
● Fast response to load changes, but uneven fuel consumption
4. Improved Chulhas (Stoves) – Types and Exotic Designs
Chulhas are traditional Indian stoves that have been upgraded over the years for better
efficiency and health outcomes.
Types:
● Fixed Single-pot: Built with mud and bricks; for rural kitchens
● Fixed Double-pot: Uses heat from one fire to cook on two burners
● Portable Metal Stoves: Lightweight and movable; common in urban/peri-urban areas
Exotic or Advanced Designs:
● Rocket Stoves: Insulated vertical combustion chambers for efficient burning
● TLUD Stoves (Top-Lit UpDraft): Gasify biomass at the top, producing a clean-burning
flame
● Lorena Stove: Made with clay and sawdust; thick insulation for efficiency
● Solar-Biomass Hybrid Stoves: Use solar thermal energy along with biomass
combustion
Benefits:
● Fuel savings of 30–50%
● Reduced smoke, improving indoor air quality
● Potential for carbon credits or inclusion in clean energy programs
5. Inclined Grate & Fluidized Bed Combustors
These are advanced technologies used in industrial-scale biomass energy systems and
modern power generation.
Inclined Grate Combustors:
● The combustion bed is inclined, and fuel moves downward by gravity
● Advantages:
○ Continuous feeding and ash removal
○ Suitable for dense, larger biomass pieces
● Common in:
○ Industrial boilers
○ Small biomass power plants
Fluidized Bed Combustors (FBC):
● Biomass is suspended in a high-velocity stream of air, behaving like a fluid
● Allows uniform temperature, high turbulence, and efficient heat transfer
Types:
● Bubbling Fluidized Bed (BFB): Air velocity just enough to fluidize particles
● Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB): Higher air velocity; particles are recirculated
Pros:
● Burns low-grade biomass and mixed fuels
● Lower NOx and SOx emissions
● Better fuel flexibility
