EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS OF OLIVE PITS GASIFICATION IN A FIXED BED DOWNDRAFT GASIFIER SYSTEM

Environmental legislation and interest in using newly utilized renewable biomass energy sources in small-scale downdraft biomass gasifiers have stimulated this research work. Biomass gasification for the production of green and clean energy generation in the form of electricity and/or heat is a viable alternative to fossil fuels and a clean technology, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and facilitate closure of the carbon cycle. In this research, olive pits as biomass feedstock were considered for clean synthesis gas production using a 100 kg/h downdraft gasifier system. The study showed that olive pits in densified forms are suitable fuel for gasification in a downdraft gasifier producing an average of 2.5 Nm3 of product syngas per kilogram of olive pits with a calorific value ranging from 4.5 to 5.0 MJ/Nm3. More than 97% conversion of carbon to product gas was achieved using this process; however, it is necessary to use effective gas clean up system to militate against any potential adverse impacts of tars and condensates in the product syngas.