Investigations of Institute for Engineering Thermophysics (Thermogasdynamics Department) in the Area of Combustion and Gasification Of Alternative Fuels

The Ukraine is dependent on other countries to provide around 60% of its annual energy demand. The fuel balance of Ukraine is as follows: (1) natural gas is 41%, (2) coal is 24.3%, (3) oil is 18.4%, (4) nuclear is 12.5%, (5) others is 4.8%. The total annual energy balance is between 110 and 140 million tons of the “conditional” fuel, the annual import of natural gas is 53 billion cubicmeter, of oil is 13 billion tons, and of coal is 10 billion tons. The renewable and alternative energy sources must be developed to have an increased involvement in the countries energy balance, as the Ukraine has a significant supply of brown coal, peat and biomass. Currently, the use of renewable and alternative energy sources is only 0.5% (2003) of the countries total energy balance, with a projection to be 2.5% by 2020 and 3.5% by 2030. Over the last 10 years the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics has been involved in the national research program to increase the use of alternative energy sources in various industrial applications. This report provides the brief review of some accomplishments in the field, including the application of: (1) a wood gas generator of 50 kWt, (2) thermal energy generators using peat, brown coal and their blends with biomass, (3) a thermal energy generator using waste motor oil. The basic design of all test facilities used is given in this report along with the results of experimental studies.