ATME COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

13th KM Stone, Bannur Road, Mysore - 570 028

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS

ENGINEERING
(ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-24)

NOTES

SUBJECT: Renewable Energy Resources

SUB CODE: 21EE652

SEMESTER: VI

Department of EEE,
ATME College of Engineering
 INSTITUTIONAL VISION AND MISSION

VISION:
• Development of academically excellent, culturally vibrant, socially responsible and
globally competent human resources.

MISSION:
• To keep pace with advancements in knowledge and make the students competitive
and capable at the global level.

• To create an environment for the students to acquire the right physical, intellectual,
emotional and moral foundations and shine as torchbearers of tomorrow's society.

• To strive to attain ever-higher benchmarks of educational excellence.

Department Vision and Mission

Vision:
To create Electrical & Electronics Engineers who excel to be technically competent
and fulfill the cultural and social aspirations of the society.

Mission:

• To provide knowledge to students that builds a strong foundation in the basic

principles of electrical engineering, problem solving abilities, analytical skills, soft
skills and communication skills for their overall development.
• To offer outcome based technical education.
• To encourage faculty in training & development and to offer consultancy through
research & industry interaction.
RES/Module 4: Biomass Energy, Biogas and Tidal Energy

MODULE -4
Structure

4.1 Module Objective

4.2 Biomass Production
4.3 Energy plantation
4.4 Biomass Gasification
4.5 Theory of Gasification
4.6 Gasifier and their Classification
4.7 Chemistry of Reaction Process in Gasification
4.8 Updraft, Downdraft and Cross-draft Gasifiers
4.9 Fluidized Bed Gasification
4.10 Use of Biomass Gasifier,
4.11 Gasifier Biomass Feed Characteristics
4.12 Application of Biomass Gasifier
4.13 Cooling and cleaning of Gasifier
4.14 introduction
4.15 Biogas and its Composition
4.16 Anaerobic Digestion
4.17 Biogas Production
4.18 Benefits of Biogas
4.19 Factors affecting the selection of a Model of a Biogas Plant
4.20 Biogas Plant Feeds and their Characteristics
4.21 Introduction to Tidal Energy
4.22 Tidal Energy Availability
4.23 Tidal Power Generation in India
4.24 Tidal Power Basin
4.25 Turbine for Tidal Power
4.26 Advantages and Disadvantages of Tidal Power
4.27 Module Outcome

4.1 MODULE OBJECTIVE:

1. To discuss on biomass production, types of gasifier and properties of producer gas.
2. To discuss biogas, its composition, production, benefits.
3. To discuss tidal energy resource, energy availability, power generation .

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BIOMASS ENERGY
4.2 BIOMASS PRODUCTION
Organic substances exist in wide variety from living beings to dead organisms . Organic matters
are composed of Carbon (C), combined with elements such as Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O),
Nitrogen (N), Sulphur (S) to form variety of organic compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins
& lipids. In nature MOs (microorganisms), through digestion process breaks the complex carbon
into smaller substances.

6H2O+6CO2+Solar Light Energy-C6H12O6+6CO2

Direct method
1. Forest wood an waste
2. Agricultural crops and residue
3. Residential food waste
4. Industrial waste
5. Human and animal waste
6. Energy crops
7. Purpose for cooking
Indirect method
1. Thermo electrical conversion
2. Biomass conversion to fuel –thermo chemical (gasification & pyolysis), Biological(fermentation
and anaerobic)
4.3 ENERGY PLANTATION
Industrial biomass can be grown from numerous types of plants, including miscanthus, switch
grass, hemp, corn, poplar, willow, sorghum, sugarcane, bamboo, and a variety of tree species,
ranging from eucalyptus to oil palm (palm oil). The adoption of biomass-based energy plants has
been a slow but steady process. Over the past decade, the production of these plants has
increased 14%. In the United States, alternative electricity- production sources on the whole
generate about 13% of power; of this fraction, biomass contributes approximately 11% of the
alternative production. According to a study conducted in early 2012, of the 107 operating
biomass plants in the United States, 85 have been cited by federal or state regulators for the
violation of clean air or water standards laws over the past 5 years. This data also includes minor
infractions. For 1000MW power plant may require 1000Km2

4.4 BIOMASS GASIFICATION

It is a process of partial/Complete combustion in which biomass is converted into combustible
gas mixture
Partial Combustion
Biomass+air-CO+CO2+CH4+H2+N2+water vapor
Complete Combustion
• CO+CO2+CH4+H2+N2 (producer gas)
Process of gasification involved
1. Drying of fuel
2. Pyrolysis
3. Combustion
4. Cracking
5. Reduction

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Temperature of gas
Based on temperature gasification process is carried out
• Low temperature of gasification -750-1100
• High temperature gasification-1200-1600 (CO,H)-syngas

4.5 THEORY OF GASIFICATION

Fig. 4.1 Product of Gasifiers

1. Biomass is reduced to charcoal
2. Charcoal is converted at suitable temperature to produce CO and H2
3. The volumetric composition of producer gas
CO: 20% - 22%
H2: 15%-18
CH4: 2%-4%
CO2: 9%-11%
N2:50%-54%
4.6 GASIFIER AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION
It is classified into 2 types fixed bed gasifier- updraft, downdraft and cross draft gasifier and
Fluidized bed gasifier.
Fixed Bed Gasifier UpDraft DownDraft CrossDraft
Types o fuel usage
It works on coal and It works on woody restricted o only low ash
1
other fuels biomass an charcoal fuel such as wood,
charcoal an coke
2 Low quality gas High Quality gas Good quality of gas
3 For thermal application IC engine and thermal Power application
Air enters from one side
Gas is drawn drawn out Gas is drawn drawn out
and d=gas is drawn
4 of the gasifier from the of the gasifier from the
exactly to its opposite
top of the fuel bed boom of the fuel bed
side
It tolerates higher ash Is sensitive to ash
content , moisture content , moisture
5 Flexible Gas production
content and greater size content and greater size
variation in fuel variation in fuel
Fluidize be Gasifer: an inert material is utilized to make bed and that acts as heat transfer
medium.

4.7 CHEMISTRY OF REACTION PROCESS IN GASIFICATION

Drying Zone of fuel- the moisture content of biomass is removed

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Pyrolysis zone- in this zone tar and volatiles are driven off upto 200ºC – water is driven
off, 200ºC-280ºC carbon dioxide, acetic acid and water, 280ºC-500ºC Large quantity of
tar, 500ºC-700ºC gas is produced.
Combustion zone :
C+O2-CO2+Heat
Reduction Zone
endothermic reaction- C+CO2+heat-2CO
Gas Shift reaction C+H2O+heat – CO+H2
Exothermic reaction- CO+H2O-Heat CO2+H2

4.8 UPDRAFT, DOWNDRAFT AND CROSS-DRAFT GASIFIERS

Fig.4.2 Fixe Bed Gasifier- (a)updraft gasifier (b)down draft gasifir (c)crossdraft gasifier

4.9 FLUIDIZED BED GASIFICATION

Fig. 4.3 Fluidized bed gasifier

• The bed is made up of inert material such has sand, ash or char
• The inert material is heated and bought to appropriate temperature level

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• Heat is transferred from bed o reactive agent through distributer plate

• There are no different zones and all the process occur simultaneously
• The fuel particles are introduced at the bottom of the reactor and are heated up
instantaneously to the bed temperature.
• As a result fuel is paralyzed very fast.
• Advantage : it is more beneficial compared to other forms.
4.10 USE OF BIOMASS GASIFIER
• Use for fuel for IC Engine
• Liquid Fuels
• Direct thermal application such as drying, heating generating steam
• Power application
4.11 GASIFIER BIOMASS FEED CHARACTERISTICS
1. Energy content and Bulk density of the fuel
2. Moisture content
3. Dust content
4. Tar content (200)
5. Ash an slogging Characteristics
6. Biomass feed (fuel)-bioethanol, biodiesal,

4.12 APPLICATION OF BIOMASS GASIFIER

1. Motive power
2. Direct heat application
3. Electrical power generation
4. Chemical production

4.13 COOLING AND CLEANING OF GASIFIER

300-500
Increasing density by cooling
Cyclone filter: they are designed according to the rate of gas production and its dust
content. These filter are excellent cleaning device
Wet scrubber: the fine dust particles and tar is cleaned by passing through wet scrubber
where gas is washed by water. it also acts as a cooler where it goes to cloth or fine
cleaning
Cloth filters (60µm)- it is a fine filter , where hot gas is passed through it and thry go to
the cooler .

4.14 INTRODUCTION TO BIOGAS

Biogas is a mixture of different gasses such as methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, etc. bio gas is
produced by breaking down the organic compound in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic
digestion is the best process for producing biogas. The organic matter such as sewage sludge,
organic farm waste, municipal solids wastes, organic industrial and commercial wastes, forests
and agricultural waste are used as a source and on aerobic process biogas and digestate is
obtained as a bio product which acts a source of income.
4.15 BIOGAS AND ITS COMPOSITION

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The main component of biogas is methane (CH4) which is popularly known as biogas, gobar
gas, clear gas, etc. it is clean non polluting and low cost gas.
Sl.No Substance Symbol %
1 Methane CH4 50-70
2 Carbon Dioxide CO2 30-40
3 Hydogen H2 5-10
4 Nitrogen N2 1-2
5 Water Vapour H2O 0.2-0.3
6 Hydrogen Sulphide H2S Minute traces

4.16 ANAEROBIC DIGESTION

Anaerobic digestion is a process of producing biogas in the absence of oxygen. It is follwed by
following steps
• Organic matter is decomposed to produce usable sized molecules(sugar)
• Conversion of matter into organic acids
• Organic acids converted into biogas
• Process stages of anaerobic Digestion
1. Hydrolysis- process of braking large biomass into smaller biomass chain and
dissolving it into a solution is known as hydrolysis.
2. Acedogenesis- it is a biological process where remaining molecules are broken
down by acedogenetic bacteria. It creates a fatty acids with ammonia, carbon
dioxide and other bi product.
3. Acetogenesis- the products produced by acedogenesis are further digested to
produce more acetic acid.
4. Methanogenesis-it is a last step of digestion where methanogens use
intermediated product for producing majority of biogas.
C6H12O6- 3CO2+3CH4
Fig. Process of anaerobic digestion

4.17 BIOGAS PRODUCTION

1. Construction parts of biogas plant
• Mixing tank-it is 1st part of the plant where water and cow dung are mixed in
equal proportion and fed to inlet chamber
• Digester tank- it is a fermentation tank, constructed underground using bricks and
sand. This tank is made into 2 partitions by a wall. 2 openings at particular height
is provided for inflow of fresh cow dung slurry and outflow of used slurry as
manure. inlet chamber to fermentation tank inlet pipes are used and fermentation
tank to outlet chamber outlet pipes are used.
• Dome or Gas holder-it is the top portion of digester where gas generated within
the digester is collected. There are 2 types of digester construction fixed
type(made up bricks) and floating type(made up of steel)
• Inlet Chamber-the wet slurry is collected and passed to the digester tank
• Outlet chamber- a digested slurry is collected and removed at outlet chamber
• Gasoulet pipe and valve – this I the outlet provided from the gas holder to
load(gas stove, lightings)

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Fig. A Typical Biogas Plant

2. Working of Biogas Plant/principle
• Cattle dung and water mixed in equal proportion and poured into inlet chamber
• Through inlet pipe slurry enters the fermentation tank .digestion takes place
biogas is formed. Around 60days anerobic bacteria will ferment the slurry.
• This gas is accumulated in gas holder. Outlet pipe will be closed due to pressure
in holder it pushes slurry to outlet chamber.
• The biogas creates a bubble in inlet and outlet chamber during escape by
understanding this gas valve to be opened for various application.
• As the slurry is removed fresh slurry to be added. Size of plant decides the
capacity of plant.
3. Types of Biogas plant
• Fixed Dome type –
Fig. Fixed Doom Type Biogas Plant
Type Description
Chinese fixed doom type Arch type, digester consist cylinder
with round bottom and top.
Jantha Model Was the model created in India in
response to Chinese model but
construction leads to cracks and leakage
in gas holder
Deenbandhu model Hemisphere digester, with crack proof
and less construction material
CAMARTEC model It is a simplified structure of
hemispherical dome based on rigid
foundation

Advantage Disadvantage
Cost is less compared to floating type Pore and cracks in wall is a major
problem
Simple n construction Maintenance is rather difficult
Made up of cement bricks concrete
heeling life can be expected
Since underground construction saves
space
Influence little by temperature
fluctuation
• Floating Dome type
Advantage Disadvantage
Very efficient expensive
Simple maintenance Steel drum may rust
Require regular maintenance

Type Description
KVIC Oldest and widespread

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Pragati Hemisphere digester

Ganesh Constructed with angular steel and
plastic foil
Arati Low cost made up of plastic or fiberglass
BORDA Hemispherical digester

4.18 BENEFITS OF BIOGAS

1. Production of energy- the calorific value of biogas is 6KWh/m3 .small and medium units
are used for the purpose of cooking and lighting purpose. Large unit is used for power
generation.
2. Transformation of organic waste into high quality organic fertilizer- also called as
fertilizer producer, the fertilizer comes out has 3 times more nitrogen compared to open
air digestion. Since it is closed type nitrogen is preserved init no chance of escaping.
3. Health benefits of biogas plant and improvement of hygienic condition- respiratory
diseases, illness, eye infection, asthma are avoided where the plant is been established.
hygienic cooking is possible and many harmful organic organism are killed inside the
plant.
4. Reduction of workload: work load for women is reduced in collecting wood from
distance places, cleaning and firing it. home remain free from smoke and dust.
5. Environmental advantages: protection of soil, air, forest and water
6. Global environmental benefits of biogas technology- capturing CH4 will reduce global
warming. CO2emmision is also reduced
4.19 FACTORS AFFECTING THE SELECTION OF A MODEL OF A
BIOGAS PLANT
1. Cost: the initials and maintenance cost to be low as possible
2. Simplicity in design: The design should be simple for ease of operation. As rate of skilled
person using the plant is less.
3. Durability: longer lifespan of plant is required where in people will adopt the technology
and use.
4. Suitability for use with available raw materials: based on raw material used it should be
designed.
5. Input and output use frequency: input and output design must be in particular size and
potential as it frequently used.
4.20 BIOGAS PLANT FEEDS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
Any type of biodegradable material can be used as a source but for economical reason few are
preferred. Cattle dung is mostly used as input. Based on input gas production will vary.
Carbon nitrogen ratio (C\N) ratio-ratio of carbon and nitrogen present is a organic matter. If
ration is ranging from 20-30 then it is considered as optimum for anaerobic digestion. A pH
value should not exceed 8.5 if it increases it shows toxic effect. C/N ratio of cattle dung is 24 and
human is 8. These may be mixed to bring it into optimum condition
Type Gas Production
Cattle 0.023-0.040
Pig 0.040-0.059
Poultry 0.065-0.116
Human 0.020-0.028

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Raw Material C/N Ratio

Duck dung 8
Human 8
Chicken dung 10
Goat dung 12
Pig dung 18
Sheep dung 19
Cow dung 24
Water hyacinth 25
Elephant 43
Straw (maize) 60
Straw(rice) 70
Straw(wheat) 90
Saw dust Above 200
Advantage:
• clean fuel
• no residue, smoke, dust are produced
• non polluting
• health benefits
• economical
• provide nutrient rich manure
Disadvantage:
• high initial cost
• availability of raw material continuously
• social accepts
• maintenance and repair cost is high
Uses:
• used as domestic fuel
• fuel for motive power
• used for electricity generation
4.21 INTRODUCTION TO TIDAL ENERGY
Tide is a periodic rise and fall of the water level of sea which are carried by the action of the sun
and moon on the water of the earth. Tidal energy, wave energy and ocean thermal energy are all
the forms of solar energy.

4.22 TIDAL ENERGY AVAILABILITY

Country Site Highest Tide Range (m)
Canada Bay of fundy 16.2
England Severn estuary 14.5
France La Rance 13.5
India The Gulf o cambay, Gujarat 11
India Gulf of kutch, Gujarat 8
India The gangas Delta in the sundarban, west Bengal 5

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4.23 TIDAL POWER GENERATION IN INDIA

Highest Tide Range Power
Country Site estimated
(m)
India The Gulf o cambay, Gujarat 11 7000

The generation of power can be achieved in a single basin

arrangement either as a
India Gulf of kutch, Gujarat 8 12000
The gangas Delta in the sundarban, west 8000
India 5
Bengal
Energy Availability in Tides

E=1.4h2 W-h
However this
KE =0.5mV2
Calculation of Tidal Power

Calculation of Tidal Stream generator

4.24 TIDAL POWER BASIN

The generation of electricity from water power requires that there should be a difference in levels
(or heads) between which water flows. A number of concepts have been proposed for generating
electricity by utilizing the head that can be produced by the rise and fall of the tides to operate a
hydraulic turbine. The power generation from tides involves flow between an artificially
developed basin and the sea. basic scheme can be elaborated by having two or more basins.

Accordingly we can distinguish the following types of arrangements:

Single basin arrangement,
Double basin arrangement.
The generation of power can be achieved in a single basin arrangement either as a
• Single ebb-cycle system, or
• Single tide-cycle system, or
• Double cycle system.

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Single ebb-cycle system: When the flood tide (high tide) comes in, the sluice gates are opened
to permit sea-water to enter the basin or reservoir, while the turbine sets are shut. The reservoir
thus starts filling while its level rises, till the maximum tide level is reached. At the beginning of
the ebb tide the sluice gates are closed. Then the generation of power takes place when the sea is
ebbing (flowing back of tide) and the water from the basin flows over the turbines into the lower
level sea water. After two or three hours when there is sufficient difference between the full
reservoir level and the falling tide level, to run the turbines, they are started and keep working
until the rising level of the next flood tide and the falling reservoir level together reduce the
effective head on the turbines to the extent where it can no longer work safely and efficiently.
The turbines are then closed and the sluice gates opened again; to repeat the cycle of operations.
Since in an estuary, the ebb tide has a long duration than the flood tide, the ebb operation
provides an increased period of actual work.

1. Sluice gates open, Turbine shut off (Section).

2. Sluice gates shut, Turbine operation (Section)

Double cycle system: It requires two separate but adjacent basins. In one basin called “upper
basin” (or high pool), the water level is maintained above that in the other, the low basin (or low
pool). Because there is always a head between upper and lower basins, electricity can be
generated continuously, although at a variable rate.

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In this system the turbines are located in between the two adjacent basins, while the sluice gates
are as usual embodied in the dam across the mouths of the two estuaries. At the beginning of the
flood tide, the turbines are shut down, the gates of upper basin A are opened and those of the
lower basin B are closed. The basin A is thus filled up while the basin B remains empty. As soon
as the rising water level in A provides sufficient difference of head between the two basins, the
turbines are started. The water flows from A to B through the turbines, generating power. The
power generation thus continues simultaneously with the filling up the basin A. At the end of the
flood tide when A is full and the water level in it is the maximum, its sluice gates are closed.
When the ebb tide level gets lower than the water level in B, its sluice gates are opened whereby
the water level in B, which was arising and reducing the operating head, starts falling with the
ebb. This continues until the head and water level in A is sufficient to run the turbines. With the
next flood tide the cycle repeats itself. With this twin basin system, a longer and more continuous
period of generation per day is possible. The small gaps in the operation of such stations can be
filled up by thermal power. The operation of the two basin scheme can be controlled so that there
is a continuous water flow from upper to lower basin. However since the water head between the
basins varies during each tidal cycle, as well as from day to day, so also does the power
generated. As in the case with single basin scheme, the peak power generation does not often
correspond in time with the peak demand. One way of improving the situation is to use off-peak
power, from the tidal power generators or from an alternative system, to pump water from the
low basin to the high basin. An increased head would then be available for tidal power
generation at times of peak demand. This is very similar to pumped storage system in hydro-
electric power stations.

4.25 TURBINE FOR TIDAL POWER

Kaplan
Propeller
Horizontal bulb type- acts as motor and generator

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4.26 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF TIDAL POWER

Advantages
1. Energy prediction is easy
2. Availability of source is high
3. Energy density is high
4. Clean source
5. Inexhaustible
6. Environment friendly
7. 80% efficiency
8. Running an maintenance cost is less
9. Life span is high
Disadvantages
1. High initial cost
2. Few ideal plant are available
3. Unpredicted intensity may damage
4. Aquatic life is influenced
5. Continuous energy not possible

4.27 MODULE OUTCOME

1. To discuss on biomass production, types of gasifier and properties of producer gas
2. To discuss biogas, its composition, production, benefits
3. To discuss tidal energy resource, energy availability, power generation

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