ASABE Technical Library - Abstract

Abstract. The objective of this study is to build lightweight, low-cost Desktop Learning Modules (DLMs), for biomass conversion to biofuels. However, gasification is highly exothermic resulting in high temperatures that can create high pressure if gases are confined in small spaces. Therefore the biogasifier DLM design requires special considerations and safety specifications so class demonstrations do not pose risks for students and instructors. Considerations include gasifier placement into a polycarbonate shielded container for easy visualization, reducing reactor size to mm-diameter quartz tubes to limit total thermal energy, directed thermal heating through electrical resistance wires, and providing unique conversion measurement means such as a small syringe cylinder unit that expands to read volumes of reaction gases while holding pressures at near atmospheric levels. Syngas cleanup will be accomplished by bubbling products through olive oil to remove remaining tar and cool the gas stream, absorption of acidic CO₂ and H₂S gases in mono-ethanol amine, and collecting final product gas in the syringe. Gas production from specified products will be pre-determined through GC analysis and relating conversion to final gas volumes, after knowing reaction conditions, and nature of side-product removal processes.