Design and Implementation of a Real-Time Monitoring System Based on Internet of Things in a 10-kW Downdraft Gasifier

Abstract

A gasifier produces synthetic gas from the gasification of biomass wastes, such as rice husks. Synthetic gas produced through the gasification process can be an alternative fuel for gas engine generators or gas burners. The biomass gasification system in Indonesia has a huge potential for implementation because of the high electricity demand and imbalanced distribution of power plants. The gasification process is quite complicated. Hence, it is imperative that during the operation, real-time data are sent to operators for monitoring. In this study, we design an Internet of Things (IoT)-based system for transmitting data of frequencies from motors and temperatures from a reactor to an Android application. Then, the obtained data from a panel, graphical user interface (GUI), and IoT are analyzed for their delay and accuracy. As a result, the mean values of delay are 0.43 and 3.67 s for GUI and IoT, respectively. In addition, the accuracy is assessed using the mean absolute error with values of 0.15, 0.1, 0.09, and 0.12 for motors at a screw feeder, vibrating grate, primary blower, and exhaust blower, respectively.