Experimental Evaluation of Bamboo Biomass Gasification for Sustainable Fuel Gas Production in Brazil

Abstract The increasing demand for renewable energy sources has intensified due to concerns over fossil fuel depletion, price volatility, and environmental impacts. Although Brazil's energy matrix is largely clean and renewable, its dependence on hydropower poses risks during adverse hydrological conditions. Biomass gasification presents a viable alternative, with bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) standing out due to its high productivity and rapid growth. This study evaluates the feasibility of bamboo biomass gasification for fuel gas production, optimizing process parameters to enhance conversion efficiency and energy output. Gasification experiments were conducted in a laboratory-scale gasifier with indirect electric heating, testing leafless bamboo and total plant bamboo under different chip sizes, temperatures, and exposure times. The most favorable operating conditions were observed with leafless bamboo (6–13 mm chips) at 900°C for 3 minutes, producing 4.02 Nm³·kg⁻ ¹ of fuel gas, an energy yield of 39.69 kJ, and a conversion efficiency of 29.34%. These findings suggest that bamboo gasification could contribute up to 820 GWh annually to Brazil’s energy matrix, offering a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to diversify the country’s energy sources.