Producer gas : its potential and application in developing countries / by G. R. Breag and A. E. Chittenden

Includes tables

Includes bibliographical references

This report presents a factual picture of the potential role of producer gas technology in developing countries in an attempt to dispel any misconceptions or over-optimism on the subject. It outlines the chemistry of producer gas generation from biomass and discusses the practical and theoretical aspects, including the advantages and disadvantages, associated in its application as a fuel for both heating and power in small, medium and large scale plants. It briefly compares the efficiency of steam engines with producer gas engines for motive power on the small scale and recommends that at the 10 kW level and below, due consideration should be given to producer gas as an alternative to steam for generating motive power.

It concludes that factors influencing decisions on the choice of method for motive power generation are so complex that it would be unwise to make generalisations and that each case must be considered individually. In addition it states that the introduction of producer gas should only be encouraged in areas where local staff are trained to service the units and where it can be ensured that the biomass resource can be replaced.