Dual Fueling a Diesel Engine with Producer Gas Produced from Woodchips

The aim of this work was to study the diesel fuel savings in dual fueling a small diesel powered genset with a small Imbert style downdraft gasifier fueled with hardwood wood chips. Eight different runs were conducted, five with the engine fueled with diesel alone to characterize fuel consumption on diesel, three dual fueling the engine with diesel and producer gas. Generator power to a portable electric heater was measured and diesel fuel savings calculated for the power generated. It was found that dual fueling the generator saved about ¾ of the diesel fuel needed.