Economic Viability of Bamboo Dust Based Gasification Plant for a Paper Mill
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24084/repqj09.586Abstract
Global concern over pollution and several related issues caused by increase in Green House Gas emission and consequently changes in climate have resulted in a paradigm shift in the approach towards development of the energy sector in many countries. Being relatively less expensive than other renewable sources like solar and wind energy and being geographically dispersed, biomass is a potential alternative for fossil fuels like coal to sustainably meet the increasing energy needs of the world. In addition to this, biomass is carbon dioxide neutral and is a reliable source of energy. In this paper a pilot project is conceptualized on the use of bamboo dust waste for Cachar Paper Mill located in the state of Assam, India. This paper mill is a source of biomass in itself as it generates about 35-40 tons of bamboo dust every day. This project is conceived to economically generate electricity by utilizing producer gas derived from a gasifier by means of a gas engine coupled with an alternator, thus contributing its share towards renewable energy in the country. An economic viability study has been carried out by calculating the cost of generation of electricity for the plant to produce this green energy as against that of convention coal fired stream generation. This paper further highlights how burning of reasonable quantity of coal can be avoided by replacing some quantum of electricity generation through renewable energy sources resulting in appreciable amount of cost savings.