Circulating Fluidized Bed Gasification: Status, Challenges and Prospects in Indian Perspective

Objective: The present work relates the need for change and how Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) technology could prove a better alternative than the existing gasifiers in India. Background/Analysis: India is an energy deficit nation although it has rich coal reserves and biomass diversity. India ranks 3rd in world coal production, but it is low in grade comprising of high ash content. Biomass present in abundance includes bio-residue like bagasse, rice husk and saw dust beside other prominent crops that are found in India. Gasification technology is widely accepted way of harnessing these abundant energy resource. Findings: Presently conventional fixed bed gasifiers are installed in different regions of the country but this is gradually becoming obsolete. CFB gasification is at present an emerging technology for harnessing this vast resource of biomass and coal efficiently and environment friendly in India. It has evolved as an environment friendly technology for utilizing different of carbonaceous fuels like peat, lignite, biomass etc., for producing fuel gas with improved energy conversion ratio. A comprehensive survey has been conducted to study the CFB gasifiers and gasification processes in CFB so that it can be designed for scale-up and direct use in existing and upcoming related industries in India. This paper analyzes the feasibility of adopting the circulating fluidized bed technology for utilization of low grade coal and biomass available in India. Novelty/Applications/Improvements: Road map for adoption of CFB gasification technology for decentralized rural power production in India along with its future scope has been discussed.