Mobile Gasification Units for Sustainable Electricity Production in Rural Areas: The SMARt-CHP Project

This paper presents a 5 kW(th) biomass gasification pilot unit along with experimental results concerning producer gas composition. A chemical equilibrium mathematical model is also introduced and a comparison of measured and calculated results is presented. The experience gained from the unit operation led to the idea of manufacturing a mobile gasification unit able to utilize agricultural wastes in rural areas of Greece. In this project, called SMARt-CHP, the biomass gasifier coupled to an internal combustion engine will be extensively used under real world conditions for combined heat and power production, using different types of residues (wine prunings, corn stalks, etc.) characteristic of agriculture in Northern Greece. The main aims of SMARt-CHP are to attempt to demonstrate how logistics and biomass availability problems can be addressed, to inform the general public about the particular environmental issues, concerns, and opportunities in decentralized bioenergy production from agricultural residues, and to promote the applicability of a mature technology, bridging the gap between technology development and application.