Biomass gasification � a thermo-chemical conversion process has been a challenge for researchers over the last four decades ; even since the 1970's oil crisis.The basic scientific challenge has been inGenerating  a gaseous fuel acceptable for internal combustion engine operationMulti-fuel capabilityReliability of operation andAffordability.The paper highlights systematic fundamental studies on packed bed reactors that has led to the technological development of fixed bed gasification system at the Indian Institute of Science.  The importance of fuel properties on the gas quality, residence time of the gas and other bed properties are presented.Use of agricultural residues  in natural form poses problems with respect to bed resistance, ash fusion, particle carryover and all of these have influence on the  quality of gas. The problems of handling fine biomass and low melting ash created by the presence of alkalis in the biomass are overcome by briquetting the fine bio-residue to solid pieces of high. The inherent design feature that provides adequate residence times and establishes the right mass flux. A typical closed-top design has a high superficial flux at the throat in the range of 2�2.5 kgm-2 s-1 as against the current novel reactor identified as open-top dual air entry reburn desgin at 0.2�0.4 kg m-2 s-1. This essentially prevents ash softening and fusion, an issue that needs to be addressed while using agro residues containing higher inorganic content.The lessons learned from the scientific studies have been considered in  technological development of designing a reactor for multi-feed operations and implemented commercial operation plants through technology transfers for both captive and grid connections. With over 500,000 hours of experience for power generation and thermal applications the technology package  has resulted in a reliable technology package for distributed power generation.

Scientific and technological aspects of fixed bed biomass gasification

246th National Meeting (2013)

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