Review of Biomass Gasification Technologies: Guidelines for the Ghanaian Situation

Abstract

Biomass energy as an alternative source of energy promises to be a more sustainable replacement of depleting fossil energy supplies and exhibits the potential for energy independence in emerging economies because biomass resources used for producing biomass energy, especially lignocellulosic wastes are much easily obtained and processed for energy. Despite the limitations of the current biomass energy production technologies, in terms of resource potential, greenhouse gas emission reduction, ease of application and economic viability, there is considerable interest in biomass gasification. Over the years lots of gasification technologies have been developed worldwide. This study examines gasification technologies that have been presented by different authors for the last 35 years with emphasis on the situation in Ghana. The study found out that small scale, direct heating and fixed bed gasification devices are more suitable for the Ghanaian energy sector. For electrical power production, small scale and fixed bed gasifiers coupled with ICE engines generator were found to be the best for Ghana. This perfectly meets the available local technical skills, the feedstock availability and market demand (mainly for cooking fuel).