A modified internal combustion engine to eliminate producer gas treatment and greatly reduce the cost of biomass-to-power

We propose a solution to reduce the cost of biomass-to-power, providing sustainable rural electrification and financial growth using local resources. Currently, more than half the cost of biomass-to-power is in producer gas (synthesis gas from biomass gasification) pretreatment.

We will develop an internal combustion engine concept that would allow an engine generator to handle producer gas with minimal pretreatment. The engine is a modified, easily maintainable, low cost automotive engine. The program is a collaboration between MIT and IIT Bombay.

Photo credit: Kannan Muthuraman by CC 2.0