K. Pal

Bio: K. Pal is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Renewable energy & Biomass. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 5 publications receiving 392 citations.

Recent advances in the development of biomass gasification technology: A comprehensive review

Abstract: Due to fast climate change and foreseen damage through global warming, access to clean and green energy has become very much essential for the sustainable development of the society, globally. Biomass based energy is one of the important renewable energy resources to meet the day to day energy requirements and is as old as the human civilization. Biomass gasification is among few important aspects of bioenergy for producing heat, power and biofuels for useful applications. Despite, the availability of vast literature, technological and material advancements, the dissemination of gasification technology could not overcome the critical barriers for the widespread acceptability over the conventional energy resources. This article presents a comprehensive review on the technical advancements, developments of biomass gasification technology and the barriers being faced by different stakeholders in the wide dissemination of the technology for day to day requirements of the society, followed by recommendations for policy makers to make this technology popular while serving the society.

Experimental study on the performance evaluation and emission reduction potential of different cookstove models using standard design parameters and testing protocols

Abstract: This article presents the design, development, experimental evaluation and parametric study of different biomass cookstove models using different feedstock having typical characteristics. This study is based on the emission reduction potential, energy, exergy, and power output by varying the quantity of different fuel wood while following the water boiling test protocols. Although the results obtained in this article exhibits several trends, with different types and quantity of wood yet are found to be consistent and comparable with one another. However, some trends are found to be very interesting and different from those already available in the literature. These results also exhibit that a specific model performs better than others in one condition, while the other does so for other set of operating conditions. This study presented here also explores the possibility for new scientific insights in the design, development and dissemination of improved biomass cookstoves in the field of sustainabl...

Energy and exergy analysis of a natural-draft improved biomass cookstove with varying quantities of different biomass feedstocks

Abstract: This communication presents a performance analysis of an improved cookstove model with various types of woody biomass such as sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globus), bakana neem (Persian lilac) and shahtoot (melbari), in varying quantities from 1 to 5 kg. The cookstove model was designed, fabricated and analyzed based on energy, exergy and power output and following the standard testing protocol, i.e. the water boiling test (WBT). The results exhibit different trends with different types and quantities of wood and are found to be consistent and comparable with each other. The results also exhibit that the cookstove model performed better than the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limit and hence provides new scientific insights into the design and evaluation of improved biomass cookstoves. The variation of energy and exergy efficiencies against the operating time was found to be in the range of 25.83–30.53% for sheesham wood, and 3.83–5.01% for eucalyptus wood. The present models are found to be superior with respect to the important performance parameters when compared with the already existing models following the same standard test protocols.

Renewable Sources in India and Their Applications

Abstract: India holds seventh largest share of land and second largest share of human population on the earth. Unique geographical location and bountiful natural resources that have once made India the cradle of human civilisation have been redefined as renewable resources in the wake of fast depleting fossils and impending doom of global warming. Moreover, as the issue of sustainability rises up every now and then, India seeks to find solution in its veteran trusted resources, the sun, the wind, the oceans and flora–fauna, yet following a well-defined strategic trajectory. Due to consistent endeavours and strong policy support, currently, India is amongst top six countries of the world, in terms of highest renewable additions in the past decade, fifth in terms of wind power generation and second largest biogas consumer in the world. Further, a bundle of programmes to promote renewable energy, viz., Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), National Biomass Cookstoves Initiative (NBCI), National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP), Village Energy Security Programme (VESP), Remote Village Electrification Programme (RVEP) and National Hydrogen Energy Programme (NHEP), are being implemented countrywide. Adding one more feather in its cap, recently, India launched its much awaited offshore wind policy. This chapter tries to investigate the renewable energy potential of the country, existing technologies, policies and programmes and finally brings out prospects and challenges of renewable energy for the country.

Recent advances in the gasification of waste plastics. A critical overview

Abstract: The current review provides an assessment of the main waste plastics valorization routes to produce syngas and H2, thus covering different gasification strategies and other novel alternative processes, such as pyrolysis and in-line catalytic steam reforming The studies dealing with plastics gasification are in general scarce However, due to the knowledge acquired on biomass and coal gasification, the state of development of plastic gasification technologies is considerable and, in fact, several gasification studies have been performed at pilot scale units Air gasification is the most studied and developed strategy and pursues the production of a syngas for energy purposes In spite of the higher H2 content and heating value of the gas produced by steam gasification, this alternative faces significant challenges, such as the energy requirements of the process and the tar content in the syngas Moreover, the co-gasification of plastics with coal and biomass appears to be a promising valorization route due to the positive impact on process performance and greater process flexibility Other promising alternative is the pyrolysis and in-line reforming, which allows producing a syngas with high hydrogen content and totally free of tar

Biofuels production by biomass gasification: A review

Abstract: The production of biofuels from renewable sources is a major challenge in research. Methanol, ethanol, dimethyl ether (DME), synthetic natural gas (SNG), and hydrogen can be produced from syngas which is the result of the gasification of biomasses. Syngas composition varies according to the gasification technology used (such as fixed bed reactors, fluidized bed reactors, entrained flow reactors), the feedstock characteristics, and the operating parameters. This paper presents a review of the predominant biomass gasification technologies and biofuels obtained from syngas by biomass gasification.