Give the Composition and Uses of Producer Gas

Producer gas

• It is a mixture of carbon monoxide and nitrogen.
• Oxygen in the air combines with carbon to form carbon monoxide and its nitrogen content is from air.
• The average composition of producer gas is, CO = 22% 30% , H₂ = 8% 12%, N₂ = 52% 55% , CO₂ = 3% etc.
• Its calorific value is around 1300 k.cal/m³.

Fig (1) Producer gas production

Manufacture of Producer Gas

Any fuel having 50% of combustible carbon can be used for the manufacture of producer gas. Raw materials used are coal, coke and charcoal.

Arrangements

Air is passed through the burning carbonaceous fuel in a special type of furnace called producer (Fig 1). The furnace is about 15°ft of height and around 12°ft in diameter. It is lined with free bricks and water sealed at the bottom of the furnace. It is provided with an air inlet at the base and an outlet for the producer gas at the top of the furnace.

Provisions are made for the charging of coal or coke through a hopper fixed at the top of the furnace. Arrangements are made for the periodical distribution of air through the hot bed of coke. Arrangements are also made for the removal of ash at the bottom of the furnace.

Process

Air is passed through the hot bed of carbon at a temperature of about 1000- 1400°C. CO₂ is formed first at the lower part of the furnace. This CO₂ passes into the upper layer of high temperature carbon bed, where it is converted to carbon monoxide. The nitrogen of the air remains unaffected and so the producer gas mainly consists of CO and N₂ . The producer gas thus formed is passed through the outlet as shown in the figure.1.

Reaction

C + O₂ → CO₂ + 97°kcal (at the bottom of the furnace)                                        CO₂ + C → 2CO – 36°kcal  (at the bottom of furnace)

Uses:

(i) It is cheap, clean and easily producible.
(ii) It is used for heating open-hearth furnaces, muffle furnaces, etc.
(iii) It is used as a reducing agent in metallurgical operations.

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