The Journal of Science and Engineering Applications (JSEA)

Abstract

The increasing global demand for sustainable and green energy sources has led to the exploration of alternative fuels, particularly in places that are abundant with agricultural byproducts. This study investigates the performance of syngas derived from rice husks as a potential fuel for small compression ignition engines, which are widely used in agricultural and rural areas within Iraq. This study aims to evaluate the performance, efficiency, and emissions of a modified CI engine running with syngas compared to diesel using rice husk, an agricultural waste product that is highly available but less utilized.

The results of the experiments show that syngas increases brake thermal efficiency (BTE) up to 41.0% at full operational load, which is much higher than with diesel. In addition, the application of syngas resulted in a significant reduction of emissions, cutting CO and NOx emissions by 40% and up to 30%, respectively. However, the study also observes differences in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) in syngas-powered operations, due mainly to syngas’s lower calorific value.

These results highlight the promise of rice husk-based syngas to support cleaner air programs by reducing dependence on non-renewable fuels and mitigating emissions, which would strongly benefit environmental sustainability. Nonetheless, challenges such as higher fuel consumption and necessary engine modifications indicate directions for future improvements, particularly in gasifier designs and engine adaptations to balance both performance goals and industrial costs.