Heliyon (Dec 2022)
Biomass energy conversion in a gasifier for injera baking mitad application
Abstract
The performance of gasification for Injera baking was explored in this study, as well as the effects of moisture content, and primary and secondary airflow rates. Primary air is used in the reactor of a biomass gasifier, which creates syngas that is burned by secondary air on the mitad's bottom side. An average temperature of averaged 185°C at the center and 170°C away from the center was observed; the size of the cone determines the temperature distribution on the metal surface. The reactor's narrower cone diameter allowed for a greater temperature only in the center and a more variable baked Injera eye appearance. The cone diameter has been reduced to 0.15 m of the mitad diameter to improve the temperature distribution on the mitad surface. The gasifier temperature is 800°C when the air/fuel ratio is 5.8 kg/kg and the moisture content of the wood is 16%. Gasification is improved by heating the primary air and changing the air-fuel ratio. The findings revealed that pre-heated air is more efficient for gasification and saves money on baking and fuel. Fuel efficiency (0.45) and time savings (0.12) were discovered in the new gasifier. Between gasification temperatures of 650 and 800°C, an effective Injera baking temperature (170–185°C) on the mitad surface was attained. Following the tests, the average specific wood fuel consumption (1.414 g/kg), char residue (317 g), and average Injera baking time were calculated. For each test of one baking cycle, this was found at the burning rate capability of both stoves, which is 6 kg/hr. Therefore, the fuel consumption and burning rate of fuel are depending on the amount of airflow rate.
