Research Projects

Biomass is a potential renewable energy source with lower CO2 emissions and is a well-known fuel in rural India for domestic purposes. However, its availability and presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in coal-based thermal power plants are limited. Researchers have attempted to reduce VOCs from biomass, but limited work has been reported on Paddy straws, bamboo, and bagasse as potential sources for co-fired boilers. Different types of biomass will be characterized and chemically analyzed using various techniques, such as drying, washing, Torrefaction, and pyrolysis. The performance of selected biomasses will be assessed through in-situ quantification of VOCs during combustion in an in-house developed combustor. The design, development, and fabrication of the co-fired combustor will be performed at IIT Bhilai, with critical design parameters determined through simulations. Performance will be evaluated through an experimental matrix of different pre-treatment techniques and varying biomass fractions. A techno-commercial study will evaluate the feasibility of using these biomasses in co-fired coal-based boilers, in consultation with Jindal Steel and Power Limited JSPL Raigarh.