Integration of Solar Thermal Energy in Biomass Gasification Systems for Sustainable Cooking in Rural Communities
摘要
This study suggests integrating solar thermal energy into biomass gasifier stove systems to develop an efficient and sustainable cooking system for Sri Lankan rural communities. The primary aims are to reduce biomass consumption, enhance thermal efficiency, and minimize dangerous emissions associated with traditional cooking methods. A hybrid cooking system was developed, designed, and examined through computational simulations. It consists of four main parts: a parabolic solar collector for air preheating, a downdraft biomass gasifier for syngas production, a cyclone filter for particulate removal, and a direct heat cookstove. Simulations were conducted to model thermal and fluid dynamics under various conditions with rice husk as the test biomass fuel. The results indicate that solar integration significantly enhances performance. Preheated air improves combustion efficiency, raising syngas yield and reducing fuel consumption. The solar collector was able to raise air temperatures from 27 ℃ to 700 ℃. Cyclone filter designs achieved up to 98.8% particulate removal, but efficiency depended on flow rate and diameter and needed to be optimized in the design. Gasifier and heater simulations illustrated improved thermal output at greater airflow but also showed the need to balance performance and acceptable pressure drops. Results validate the research hypothesis that hybridization improves both energy efficiency and emissions control. The proposed system provides a low-cost, eco-friendly option for rural cooking, particularly daytime cooking when there is sunlight. While experimental validation is still a future activity, simulation results validate the feasibility and benefit of the hybrid system. The research advances clean cooking technology and demonstrates the potential of renewable energy integration for underserved regions. Future activities will include prototype refinement, field demonstrations, and commercialization strategies to achieve widespread adoption.