Abstract
An innovative small-scale gasification system for solid wastes is proposed which is known as STAR-MEET system. In this system, a fixed-bed pyrolyzer combined with a high temperature reformer using high temperature steam/air mixture is employed. From the experimental results using rubber chips as a fuel, it has been found that injection of high temperature air into the pyrolyzer significantly increases the heating value of the pyrolysis gas. It has been also demonstrated that injection of high temperature steam/air mixture into the pyrolysis gas effectively decomposes tar and soot components in the pyrolysis gas into CO and H_2, and almost dust and tar free clean reformed gas can be generated. This gasification system generates low BTU gas from solid wastes. Thus power generation experiments using a small spark ignition engine were done employing low BTU gas as a fuel. Compared with natural gas driven, low BTU gas driven engine shows similar thermal efficiency while significantly low NOx and hydrocarbon emissions.
