THE FACILITIES
This center is equipped for basic and application research in BGTU. Established during 1985-88 under a DNES sponsored project, the facilities provide for biomass characterisation, gas quality monitoring, gasification process and engine performance analysis. On-line data acquisition and logging system with corresponding sensors for real time recording of pressures / pressure differentials and temperatures and a range of gasifiers and gasifier-engine systems are a part of the facilities available at this center. The facilities also provide for development and testing of burners for different applications.
BIOMASS PROPERTIES
Moisture content, calorific value and proximate composition are the important biomass properties from viewpoint of gasification process. Sartorius Infrared Moisture Meter, Parr Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter and DuPont 951 Thermogravimetric Analyser are available for determination of these properties.
Infra-red
Moisture Meter Biomass Flow Visualiser
Thermogravimetric
Analyser Oxygen
Bomb Calorimeter
GAS QUALITY
Calorific value of gas, its composition and Tar & Particulates contents, are the parameters, which define the gas quality. Junker’s Gas Calorimeter is used for determination of gas calorific value. The THT Tar Sampler and the IITB field and laboratory type of tar sampling units provide for determination of Tar and Particulate contents in the gas. A GLC is used for determination of gas composition. Orsat apparatus is also used for gas analysis during field and laboratory testing and for calibration purposes.
Junker’s
Gas Calorimeter Gas
Chromatograph
IITB Tar
Sampler (Laboratory) IITB
Tar Sampler (Field Type)
GASIFIER AND GASIFIER-ENGINE SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
Pressure, temperature and flow rates are the main measurements involved in gasifier testing. Strain gauge type pressure and differential pressure sensors are used for pressure drop and flow measurements. For field usage, hotwire anemometer type “Compu-flow” flow meter and turbine type flow meter provide for flow measurements. Calibrated thermocouples and digital indicators are used for temperature measurement. HP 3852S data logger with HP 9000 series 310 and 320 controllers provide for simultaneous logging of 800 signals. Data acquisition and processing is being carried out using specially developed software.
The facilities provide for engine performance analysis with reference to power capacity, thermal efficiency, percentage diesel replacement, exhaust emissions and in-cylinder processes and estimation of the indicated output. AVL IMEP meter is available for dynamic indication of in-cylinder pressures. Horiba CO-HC meter, Lucas and Bosch Smoke meters are used for measurement of exhaust smoke. An eddy current dynamometer and resistive load banks are used for measurements of engine load and computation of power output. Bruel noise meter provides for measurement of engine noise and vibrations. Pekly CO-CO2 monitor, UV spectrophotometer and digital pH meter are the other analytical equipments available in this center.
A Laser based Malvern Particle size Analyser provides for the spray analysis including droplet size and distribution pattern. Problems of low fuel rates influence the engine performance under dual-fuel operation. A Bosch fuel Injection Test Bench along with Malvern provide for study and analysis of IR patterns and SMD. Fuel viscosity and its influence on producer-gas dual-fuel operation of diesel engines and use of high viscosity vegetable oils as pilot igniting sprays is also being investigated using these facilities.
On-line Data Display (HP) In-cylinder
Pressure Display (AVL)
Line Pressure
Sensors Exhaust
Gas Analyser
Lucas Smoke-meter Fuel Test Bench
Malvern Particle Size Analyser Spray Photography Set up
Anemometer and Sound Level Meters Spectrophotometer
CO Alarms
LUBRICATING OIL ASSESSMENT
The facilities provide for
Lubricating oil evaluation with reference to TAN, TBN, viscosity and
Particulates. Potentiometric Titrator, High-Speed Centrifuge and Brookfield
Viscometer are the concerned facilities. Assessment of engine component wear is
being carried out using special micro gauges available for the purpose and from
the metal content analysis of the lubricating oil. Engine wear rates are of
particular importance in producer-gas engines due to presence of Tar and
Particulates in the gas.
High
Speed Centrifuge, Potentiometric Titrator and Viscometer
Chemical Analysis Laboratory for Lubricating Oil and Gas
Analysis
THE GASIFIER SYSTEMS AND THE ENGINES
The center has a collection of different types of gasifier systems and the prototypes developed by IITB. These include the 5 kW down-draft as well as up-draft units, 15 kW (IITB) wood gasification units and, a 15 kW (45 nm3/h) rice husk gasifier system. A specially designed and built experimental research gasifier unit (ERGU) of 15 kW capacity, adds to the R&D versatility of this laboratory. It provides for biomass and application specific design optimisation and also a range of basic investigations.
45 nm3/h Down-draft Experimental 20 nm3/h
Up-draft Experimental Unit
Research Gasifier
Engines are a part of the composite system packages. A range of engines is available as prime movers for pumps or generators. A 15 kW spark ignition producer-gas engine is a special facility at this center.
45 nm3/h Rice Husk Gasification System Spark Ignition
Producer-gas Engine Set up
An instrumented experimental producer-gas burner set up and another twin burner set up for canteen type applications provide for development and optimisation of burners. Photographs of the same are given under “Technology Development”. Both the set-ups have facility for variable premixing.