The Improvement of Carburater Efficiency Using Biogas-based Venturi

Physics of Earth and Complex System, Fac. of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Jl. Ganesa 10 Bandung, Indonesia, 40132

^a Corresponding author: k.lasmi@yahoo.com

Abstract

The elimination of the fossil fuel subsidy by the Indonesian government has caused an increase in fuel prices, and a solution to find a relatively cheap and environmentally friendly alternative energy is needed. Biogas is one of the sources of renewable energy that has a potential to be developed, especially in farming area where the abundant animal excrement is not yet optimally used and causes environmental problems. Addressing this issue, we have developed an innovation by making a biogas and air mixer instrument through venturi pipe, using the basic theory of fluid mechanism in order to increase the use of biogas as an electricity source. Usually, biogas-based electric generators use dual fuel system such as fossil fuel and biogas to perform combustion due to the low octane contained in the biogas. By replacing the readily available manufactured venturi with the modified venturi, optimal combustion can be reached with using only single fuel of biogas. The results of the experiments show that the biogas debit on carburetor increases from 13 to 439 watts consuming biogas fuel from 0.22 to 4.96 liter/minute, respectively. The amount of combusted biogas depends on the value of the load power. Within the scope of our results, the maximum voltage reached is about 211.13 – 211.76 volts which is feasible to use for 220 volts electrical appliances