title: Energy production from biomass (Part 3): Gasification technologies.
abstract: The conversion of biomass by gasification into a fuel suitable for use in a gas engine increases greatly the potential usefulness of biomass as a renewable resource. Gasification is a robust proven technology that can be operated either as a simple, low technology system based on a fixed-bed gasifier, or as a more sophisticated system using fluidized-bed technology. The properties of the biomass feedstock and its preparation are key design parameters when selecting the gasifier system. Electricity generation using a gas engine operating on gas produced by the gasification of biomass is applicable equally to both the developed world (as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuel) and to the developing world (by providing electricity in rural areas derived from traditional biomass).
authors.affiliation: Applied Environmental Research Centre Ltd, Feering, Colchester, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: McKendry
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D001711:Biotransformation; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012037:Refuse Disposal