Biomass gasification is considered to be one of the sustainable solutions to the power crisis in Ind

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UPSC Prelims is a competitive examination conducted in India. This question is from the 2012 UPSC Prelims Science & Technology paper.

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Question

Biomass gasification is considered to be one of the sustainable solutions to the power crisis in India. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct?Coconut shells, groundnut shells and rice husk can be used in biomass gasification.The combustible gases generated consist of hydrogen and carbon dioxide only.The combustible gases generated from biomass gasification can be used for direct heat generation but not in internal combustion engines.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: A — 1 onlySolution:Statement 1 — Agricultural residues (coconut shells, groundnut shells, rice husk) can be used: This is correct. Biomass gasification converts organic material into combustible gas (syngas/producer gas) by reacting it at high temperatures (above 700°C) with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam — without complete combustion. Agricultural residues like coconut shells, groundnut shells, rice husk, sugarcane bagasse, and wood chips are all suitable feedstocks for biomass gasification. ✓Statement 2 — Combustible gases consist of hydrogen and carbon dioxide only: This is incorrect. The gasification process produces a mixture called Syngas or Producer Gas which contains: carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H₂), methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrogen (N₂) along with small amounts of water vapour and tar vapour. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen are the primary combustible components — carbon dioxide is not combustible. The statement incorrectly says only hydrogen and CO₂ are produced, omitting the critically important CO and CH₄. ✗Statement 3 — Can be used for direct heat but not in internal combustion engines: This is incorrect. Producer gas/syngas from biomass gasification can be used for: direct combustion (heat generation), electricity generation through internal combustion engines (both diesel and petrol engines can be modified to run on syngas), and as a feedstock for chemical synthesis. The technology of powering internal combustion engines with biomass gasifiers was widely used during World War II in Europe and is still deployed in rural electrification programmes globally. ✗Why other options are incorrect:Options B, C, D: All include the incorrect Statements 2 or 3.Key Concept: Biomass gasification converts solid biomass into a combustible gas mixture (producer gas) through thermochemical conversion. Types: updraft gasifier, downdraft gasifier, fluidised bed gasifier. Key advantages over direct combustion: higher efficiency; ability to use the gas in power generation engines; cleaner combustion; easier automation. India's potential: with 500 million tonnes of agricultural residue generated annually, India has enormous biomass gasification potential — particularly for rural electrification in areas not connected to the main grid. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) promotes biomass gasification under various programmes. Key applications in India: rice mills (using rice husk), rural decentralised power generation, and industrial heating.

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