Navi Mumbai: India’s bioenergy sector has achieved considerable success in processing wet organic waste, but hard biomass agricultural residues have largely remained beyond its reach. Materials such as coconut shells, cashew nut shells, and groundnut shells have historically been underutilized in the country’s bioenergy value chain, despite their significant potential as renewable energy feedstocks.
Organic Recycling Systems Limited (ORSL) has begun working on that gap with Sanjeevak 2.0. Its NABL-accredited ORS Research and Innovation Centre (ORS-RIC) in Mahape, Navi Mumbai has commenced a pilot study for a 10 kg/h Downdraft Gasification System, a thermochemical technology that converts hard biomass feedstocks into clean syngas and high grade biochar through controlled partial oxidation. The downdraft configuration is specifically chosen for its low tar formation, a key advantage over alternative biomass conversion technologies. Additionally, it has an autothermal design, which means the reactor sustains its own process heat once ignited, requiring no external fuel source during operation.
ORS-RIC is currently conducting trials across four hard biomass feedstocks — tender coconut shells, brown coconut shells, cashew nut shells, and groundnut shells. The study is focused on mapping and optimising key process parameters to maximise charcoal mass yield while ensuring high fixed-carbon content. The pilot is in its parameter optimisation phase — no yield or quality results are being reported at this stage.
Speaking on the development, Mr. Yashas Bhand, Whole Time Director, Organic Recycling Systems Limited, said: “Hard biomass waste like coconut shells and groundnut shells represents a significant and largely unaddressed category of agricultural residue in India. Downdraft gasification offers a pathway to convert them into high-grade biochar and clean syngas. ORS-RIC is conducting this study systematically — mapping parameters before scaling — and if the results are promising, ORSL will look to commercialise this technology.”
Dr. Manju Tanwar, Head – Research & Development, ORS Research and Innovation Centre (ORS-RIC), added: “Hard biomass feedstocks present unique thermochemical challenges due to their density, structure, and composition. Through this pilot study, we are systematically evaluating the impact of key operating parameters such as equivalence ratio, residence time, and extraction volume on the gasification process. Our objective at this stage is to develop a robust process framework, generate reliable operating data, and identify the optimal conditions required for future scale-up and commercial deployment.”
If the pilot succeeds and the technology is commercialised, ORSL projects it could reduce fuel and electricity costs along with potential to market the technology multiple stakeholders facing the issues of hard biomass waste.
The downdraft gasification pilot adds to ORS-RIC’s expanding research portfolio, which currently includes 7+ innovations in development across biochar, advanced catalysts, carbon membranes, CO₂ utilisation, and microalgae-based treatment systems. ORS-RIC received NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 in February 2026.
