International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology (IJMET)

Volume 7, Issue 3, MayJune 2016, pp.7885, Article ID: IJMET_07_03_007

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POTENTIAL ANALYSIS OF POWER

GENERATION BY NON WOODY BIOMASS
AND COAL BIOMASS MIXED BRIQUETTES
Nishant Kumar Srivastava
Mechanical Engineering Department, SHIATS, Allahabad, India
Dr. Mohammad Tariq
Mechanical Engineering Department, SHIATS, Allahabad, India
Pravesh Kumar Srivastava
Mechanical Engineering Department, RRSIMT, Amethi, India
ABSTRACT
Biomass is a biological carbonaceous organic material and provides both
the thermal energy and reduction for oxides; where as other non conventional
sources of energy can meet our thermal need only. Biomass is the purest fuel
consisting of very smaller quantity of ash materials. Hence, Biomass is an
important source of energy and the most important fuel worldwide after coal,
oil and natural gas. Bio-energy, in the form of biogas, which is derived from
biomass, is expected to become one of the key energy resources for global
sustainable development. The present work is an optimistic step towards
energy and ecological problems facing the world. At present, the technique for
power generation is co-firing (coal & biomass) has more attractive and costeffective. Co-firing can play an important role in increasing the use of
biomass in power generation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Biomass, co-firing offers several advantages, including lower capital costs,
higher efficiency and improved economies of scale and lower electricity costs
due to the larger size and the superior performance of modern coal power
plants. In this paper, the non coking coal and biomass are mixed together for
preparing briquettes of different ratio (coal: biomass = 93:07, 87:13, 83:17,
77:23) and to examine their energy values and power generation potential.
Key words: Biomass, Co-firing, Briquettes, Energy Value, Power Generation.
Cite this Article Nishant Kumar Srivastava, Dr. Mohammad Tariq and
Pravesh Kumar Srivastava, Potential Analysis of Power Generation by Non
Woody Biomass and Coal Biomass Mixed Briquettes. International Journal of
Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 7(3), 2016, pp. 7885.
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Potential Analysis of Power Generation by Non Woody Biomass and Coal Biomass Mixed
Briquettes

1. INTRODUCTION
The economic development of any country demands the energy. Each segment of
Indian economy needs energy like farming, engineering, industries, transportation,
business and household. It is the serious as that continuous consumption of energy is
increasing the dependency on the fossil fuels likes coal, oil, and gas. The continuous
use of coal, oil and gas also increase environmental pollution. In the renewable energy
scenario dominated by solar, wind and micro/mini hydel, biomass is beginning to look
promising in the view of new emerging technologies. The renewable energy sources
Biomass provides both, thermal energy as well as reduction for oxides. Biomass being
a product of natural resources viz. land, water, air and suns energy, gives much hope
as an alternative, reliable and renewable source of energy. Biomass is an organic
matter produced by plants, both terrestrial and aquatic and their derivatives. The
biomass acts as an essential medium for sustaining earths ecological balance and
helps in the balance of CO2 in the atmosphere. In the 21st century the biomass have
sustainable potential for completing the power generation. Biomass has also good
capability for providing high grade energy. About 32% of the total primary energy use
in the country is still derived from biomass [13]. Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy has considered as the potential and role of biomass energy in the Indian
context. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has started a number of programs
for encouragement of efficient technologies for its use in various sectors of the
economy to ensure derivation of maximum benefits. The current availability of
biomass in India is estimated at about 500 millions metric tones per year. The
Ministry of NE has estimated surplus biomass availability at about 120 150 million
metric tons per annum covering agricultural and forestry residues corresponding to a
potential of about 18,000 MW [13]. Biomass power generation in India is an industry
that attracts investments of over Rs.600 crores every year, generating more than 5000
million units of electricity and yearly employment of more than 10 million man-days
in the rural areas [13]. The objective of the present work is comparative study of coal
and mixed coal-biomass in different ratio of (93:07, 87:13, 83:17, 77:23) with respect
to selected non woody biomass species. Non woody biomass species, Cassia Tora
(Chakunda) and Gulmohar (Krishnachura) is compared with each other. On the basis
of this analysis, can find out how much power can be generated with the particular
area of land.

2. SELECTION OF MATRIALS
The two different types of non-woody biomass species are taken, one is Cassia Tora
(Chakunda) and another is Gulmohar (Krishnachura).These biomass species were cut
into small pieces and there different component like leaf, nascent branch and main
branch were separation from each other. These biomass materials were air-dried in
cross ventilator room for around 20 days. When the moisture contains of these airdried biomass sample came in balance with that of the air, they were crushed in
mortar and pestle into powder of -72 mess size. The sample of Coal for making the
blend was collected from coal mines. These materials were than processed for the
determination their proximate analysis and Energy values. The Fig. 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c)
showing the sample of biomass component, biomass component powder and coal
powder respectively.

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Nishant Kumar Srivastava, Dr. Mohammad Tariq and Pravesh Kumar Srivastava

(a)

(b)

(c)

Figure 1 Conversion of Biomass Component and Coal into Powder

3. EXPERIMENTAL WORKS
The experimental works include determination of proximate analysis, energy value &
ash fusion temperature (AFT) of different components of biomass, coal and their
mixture.
3.1 Proximate analysis: It consists of moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon
contents determination. It will be carried out on samples by standard method.
3.1.1 Determination of Moisture content: One gram (1 gm.) of air dried powder of the
materials will be taken and heated at a temperature of 110 oC 5oC for one hour in air
oven. Determine the moisture content of the test sample:
Mass of water in sample = wet mass - dry mass
Percent moisture = (Mass of Water /Dry Mass of Sample) x 100
3.1.2 Determination of Ash Content: One gram (1 gm.) of (air dried) will be taken in a
shallow silica disc and kept in a muffle furnace maintained at the temperature of
7500C 50
Percentage Ash = Weight of residue obtained 100 / Initial weight of simple
3.1.3 Determination of Volatile Matter: The percentage volatile matter in the sample
is determined by using the following formula
Percentage volatile matter (VM) = Percentage loss in weight - Percentage
moisture
3.1.4 Determination of Fixed Carbon: The fixed carbons in the simple is determined
by
Percentage FC = 100 (Percentage M + Percentage VM + Percentage Ash)
FC: Fixed carbon, M: Moisture, VM: Volatile Matter
3.1.5 Calorific Value Determination: Gross calorific value (GCV) = {(2500 T) /
(Initial weight of simple) (heat released by cotton thread + Heat released by fused
wire)}
Table I Proximate Analysis of Gulmohar (Krishnachura)
Proximate Analysis (Percentage weight basis)
Component
Wood
Leaf
Nascent branch

Moisture

Ash

Volatile
Matter

Fixed
carbon

9.05
8.95
9.85

2.0
7.26
4.25

73.16
71.18
70.86

15
15
14.22

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Gross
calorific
value
(kcal/kg)
4592
4013
4107

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Potential Analysis of Power Generation by Non Woody Biomass and Coal Biomass Mixed
Briquettes
Table II Proximate Analysis of Cassia Tora (Chakunda)
Component
Wood
Leaf
Nascent branch

Proximate Analysis (Percentage weight basis)

Volatile
Fixed
Moisture
Ash
Matter
carbon
13.06
9.21
70.13
13.00
12.58
8.95
70.89
14
11.74
6.76
72.05
14

Gross
calorific
value(kcal/kg)
4389
4201
3782

Table III Proximate Analysis of Non coking Coal

Component
Coal

Proximate Analysis (Percentage weight basis)

Volatile
Fixed
Moisture
Ash
Matter
carbon
9.12
41.2
21.82
29

Gross calorific
value(kcal/kg)
4345

Table IV Coal: Gulmohar Biomass

Ratio (Coal :
biomass)
Wood
93:07
87:13
83:17
77:23
Leaf
93:07
87:13
83:17
77:23
Nascent branch
93:07
87:13
83:17
77:23

Proximate Analysis
(Weight percentage, Air Dried Basis)
Volatile
Fixed
Moisture
Ash
Matter
carbon

Calorific value
(Kcal/ kg,
Dried Basis)

8
6
5
5

38
35
38
35

26
32
34
35

33
31
28
30

3218
3501
3751
4089

5
5
6
7

36
37
29
32

31
32
35
35

34
31
32
32

3425
3486
3080
3832

5
4
7
8

39
34
31
32

34
36
41
43

29
30
27
23

3587
3553
3559
3804

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Nishant Kumar Srivastava, Dr. Mohammad Tariq and Pravesh Kumar Srivastava
Table V Coal: Cassia Tora Biomass
Ratio (Coal :
biomass)

Proximate Analysis
(Weight percentage, Air Dried Basis)
Volatile
Fixed
Moisture
Ash
Matter
carbon

Wood
93:07
87:13
83:17
77:23
Leaf
93:07
87:13
83:17
77:23
Nascent branch
93:07
87:13
83:17
77:23

Calorific value
(Kcal/ kg,
Dried Basis)

4
4
5
6

38
37
39
37

38
35
41
43

26
27
21
19

3149
2984
3484
3457

4
5
5
5

41
41
33
35

31
31
41
35

31
30
29
31

3277
3670
3053
4145

6
8
5
5

40
38
33
38

34
30
41
41

26
28
29
24

3473
3213
3678
3674

3.2.1 Ash fusion temperature: Initial deformation temperature (IDT), softening

Temperature (ST), hemispherical temperature (HT) and flow temperature (FT) of all
the ash samples, obtained from the presently selected non-woody biomass species and
coal-biomass (in ratio) mixed sample were determined.
Table VI Ash fusion temperature of selected biomass and coal biomass mixed sample

Biomass /Coal
biomass mixed ratio
Cassia Tora
Gulmohar
Coal :Biomass (87:13)
Coal :Biomass (77:23)

IDT
896
1060
1163
1190

Ash fusion temperature ( 0C)

ST
HT
1248
>1400
1251
>1400
1298
>1400
1299
>1400

FT
>1400
>1400
>1400
>1400

4. CALCULATION FOR ENERGY CONTENT AND POWER

GENERATION
4.1. Total Energy Contents and Power Generation Structure from 6 Months old
(approx.), Gulmohar Plants.
Table VII Energy Value for Gulmohar Plant

Component
Main Wood
Leaf
Nascent branch

Calorific Value
(kcal/t, dry
basis)
4534 103

3909 103
3999 103

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Biomass
Production

(t/ha, dry basis)

21.00
7.00
9.5

82

Energy Value

(kcal/ha)
95183 103
27359 103
37980.5 103

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Potential Analysis of Power Generation by Non Woody Biomass and Coal Biomass Mixed
Briquettes

On even dried basis, total energy from one hectare of land.

= Energy value of main wood + Energy value of Leaf + Energy value of nascent
branch (1)
= 95183 103 +27359 103 +37980.5 103
= 160522.5 103 kcal
It is assumed that conversion efficiency of wood fuelled thermal generators = 26
% and mechanical efficiency of the power plant = 85 %.
= (Energy value of main wood + Energy value of leaf + Energy value of nascent
branch) 0.26
(2)
3
3
3
= (95183 10 +27359 10 +3798010 ) 0.26
= 41735.85 kWh
= 41735.85 103 4.186 3600
= 48529.52 kWh
Power generation (Assuming mechanical efficiency is 85 %)
= 48529.52 0.85
= 41250.33 kWh/ha
For the supply of power over the year, the land required
= 73105/ 41250.33
= 176.968 hectares
4.2 Total Energy Contents and Power Generation Structure from 4 Months old
(approx.), Cassia Tora Plants.
Table VIII Energy Value for Cassia Tora Plant

Component

Calorific Value
(kcal/t, dry basis)

Biomass Production

Energy Value

(t/ha, dry basis)

(kcal/ha)
Main Wood
4345 103
4.00
17381 103
Leaf
4014 103
1.50
6022.5 103
3
Nascent branch
3673 10
2.50
9183 103
On even dried basis, total energy from one hectare of land.
= Energy value of main wood + Energy value of Leaf + Energy value of nascent
branch
(3)
3
3
3
= 17381 10 +6022.5 10 +9183 10
= 32586.5 103 kcal
It is assumed that conversion efficiency of wood fuelled thermal generators = 26 %.
= (Energy value of main wood + Energy value of Leaf + Energy value of nascent
branch) 0.26
(4)
= (17381 103+6022.5 103+9183 103) 0.26
= 8472.49 103 kcal
= 8472.49 103 4.186 3600
= 9851.62 kWh
Power generation (Assuming mechanical efficiency is 85 %)
= 9851.92 0.85
= 8373.88 kWh/ha
For the supply of power over the year, the land required
= 73105/ 8374.13 = 871.731 hectares

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Nishant Kumar Srivastava, Dr. Mohammad Tariq and Pravesh Kumar Srivastava

5. RESULTS
The calculation done is clearly shows that amongst the both biomass species Cassia
Tora has lowest energy value compared to Gulmohar biomass. The electricity
generation from Gulmohar is 41250.33 kWh per hectares which is greater than
8373.88 kWh per hectares from Cassia Tora Biomass Species.
50000
40000
30000

Gulmohar

20000

Cassia Tora

10000
0
Power Generation

Figure 2

6. CONCLUSION
The potential of both species Gulmohar and Cassia tora are examine and the
estimation was done to analyze how much power can be generated in one hectare of
land from each of these species. The following different conclusions are pointed are
as follows:

Less volatile matter in cassia tora wood and leaf, proximate analysis showed for two
biomass species is almost similar for the biomass species components, leaves having
more ash contents.
The ratio of biomass and coal in different ratio is showed in the same proximate
analysis, the ash contents being more when 93% coal mixing with 7 % biomass and
volatile matter is more when 77 % coal mixing with 23% biomass.
In both biomass species, the Gulmohar has the highest energy value than Cassia Tora.
The Coal mixed Gulmohar biomass component are found to be little bit higher energy
value than Coal mixed cassia tora biomass component.
The result shows that Gulmohar biomass species requires nearly 176.968 hectares of
land for continuous generation of 41250.33 kWh and Cassia Tora biomass species
nearly 871.731 hectares of land for continuous generation of 8373.88 kWh.
The temperature of ash fusion obtaining from all the species are obtaining above the
boiler operation range, this would effectively avoid clinker formation in the boiler.
The study is effective in the generation of power with the utilization of non-woody
biomass species.
This study could be positive in the exploitation of non-woody biomass species for
power generation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
It is my pleasure and privilege to acknowledge and express my most sincere heartfelt
gratitude to Dr. Mohammad Tariq, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical
Engineering, Shepherd School of Engineering, SHIATS, Allahabad for suggesting the
topic for my thesis report and for their ready and able guidance throughout the course

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Potential Analysis of Power Generation by Non Woody Biomass and Coal Biomass Mixed
Briquettes

of my preparing the report. I am greatly indebted to him for their constructive

suggestions and criticism from time to time during the course of progress of my work.

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