Utilization of Cocoa Pod Husk Waste as Fuel for Downdraft Type Gasification Reactor of 960 Liters Capacity in Berau Regency

This experiment aims to investigate the performance characteristics of a downdraft gasification reactor fueled by cocoa pod husk as a technological solution for obtaining alternative renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels and natural gas. The research was conducted experimentally on a gasification reactor made of SS310 thermal resistant carbon steel material. The reactor has dimensions of 35 centimeter in diameter and 250 centimeter in height. Measurement of gasification zone using 7 units of K-type thermocouples that was installed along the reactor wall. Fuel was feeding continuously at a rate of 4kg/hour. The research was conducted by varying the temperature in oxidation zone, specifically at 900 ºC, 950 ºC, 1000 ºC, 1050 ºC, and 1100 ºC. Data collection was carried out in different temperature variations and processed to determine the performance parameters of the gasification reactor, including gas composition, temperature distribution on the reactor wall, and the lower heating value (LHV) of the syngas production. The results showed the highest temperature distribution of the reactor in the drying zone 205ºC, pyrolysis zone 575ºC and reduction zone 520 ºC that be obtained at the oxidation temperature of 1100 ºC . Meanwhile the optimum value of syngas quality was obtained at the oxidation temperature of 1000 ºC with the composition of flamable syngas CO, H2, and CH4 are 27.08%, 8.53% and 2.41% , with the highest LHV 5206 kJ/m3. In general the increasing of the oxidation temperature lead to a positive contribution to the performance of the gasification reactor using cocoa pod husk waste.