EUBCE 2026 - Werner BOTHA - Verification, Testing and Optimisation of Low-Density Biomass and Agricultural Waste on a Commercial Gasifier Using Empirical Data and First-Principal Analysis

Verification, Testing and Optimisation of Low-Density Biomass and Agricultural Waste on a Commercial Gasifier Using Empirical Data and First-Principal Analysis

Short Introductive summary

This study demonstrates a significant innovation in adapting a commercial RDF-designed updraft gasifier to operate effectively on low-density biomass and agricultural residues by integrating empirical operating data with first-principle thermodynamic modelling to verify performance under real industrial conditions. Despite the absence of direct mass flow measurements, system efficiencies were accurately determined using thermal oil data, syngas composition, and carbon balance equations. The results confirmed stable operation with high-quality syngas (6.52 MJ/Nm³), overall efficiency of 95.5%, and the co-production of certified biochar meeting IBI and EBC standards. This hybrid empirical–theoretical verification method represents a novel approach for assessing gasifier performance and efficiency in data-limited environments. The work not only validates the technical feasibility of operating RDF gasifiers on renewable biomass but also establishes a replicable framework for performance verification and carbon efficiency analysis, contributing directly to the advancement of sustainable, carbon-negative energy systems.

W.N. Botha, Bara Consultants, Durban, SOUTH AFRICA
G.C. van Tonder, Bara Consultants, Moscow, USA