Evaluation of cogeneration alternative systems integrating biomass gasification applied to a Brazilian sugar industry. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Copa Rey, José Ramón; Tamayo Pacheco, Jorge Jadid; António da Cruz Tarelho, Luís; Silva, Valter; Cardoso, João Sousa; Silveira, José Luz; Tuna, Celso Eduardo
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 178(2021)
• Page Start: 318
• Page End: 333
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Sugarcane bagasse -- Gasification -- Cogeneration -- Gas turbine -- Electricity production -- Sensitivity analysis; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2021.06.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: This work presents a technical analysis of an Integrated Biomass Direct Gasification/Gas Turbine (BIG-GT) technology within a sugarcane industry to produce electricity and thermal energy (process heat) using bagasse as fuel. Four possible configurations for the implementation of this technology were considered. A sensitivity analysis was made to assess the risks and the uncertainty level for each proposed solution. The results indicated that with the BIG-GT implementation the power generation efficiency increases for all the studied configurations as compared to the conventional system (η = 14.3%). For the configurations I, II, and III the efficiency increase was 9.1%, 11.0% and 12.6%, respectively. However, to support these configurations of the system, the fuel (bagasse) consumption is increased beyond the production capacity of the mill, and the additional amount of bagasse must be acquired to other mills. On the other hand, in configuration IV it is only considered the gasification of the bagasse produced in the mill, being the additional needs of thermal energy for the industrial process supplemented through the combustion of other biomass types (sugarcane straw produced in the mill plantations) in a Heat Recovery Steam Generator. In configuration IV, the electricity generation efficiency is only 5.9% higher than the conventional cycle, this efficiency is getting without the need for an external supply of bagasse. Ultimately, the sensitivity analysis showed that the plant's energy performance with the implementation of BIG-GT technology is particularly sensitive to variations related to the gasifier's efficiency. Highlights: The application of BIG-GT technology in the Brazilian sugar industry was studied. The pressurized CFB gasifier with steam/oxygen as a gasifying agent increases the efficiency of the process. The BIG-GT III seems the best alternative achieving 26.9% electrical efficiency. The efficiency of the gasifier is the variable that affects the performance of the plant.