Abstract
|
Heat integration and configuration optimization of a unique cycle based on biomass gasification are
presented. The system provides heat, freshwater, and electricity to an area located in the southern part of
Iran using the gasification of sugarcane bagasse. The main question to be responded is to find the op-
timum configuration which minimizes the total external utility consumption. It is assumed that
34500 kg/day of bagasse is available and the electricity, heating, and water demand of the area should be
covered. It is concluded that the total utility consumption is 3113.69 kW if no heat integration is utilized.
On the other hand, partial heat integration results in a total utility consumption of 590.93 kW. The least
possible utility consumption which occurs in full heat integration condition is 214.6 kW. By increasing
the gasification temperature from 900 C to 915 C, it is possible to enhance the integration by removing
one of the heaters. The sensitivity analysis shows that the highest CHP efficiency occurs for a biomass
flow rate of 32970 kg/day. It is concluded that energy integration techniques serve well in the identi-
fication of the optimum gasification temperature and biomass flow rate which lead to the minimum
utility consumption and highest CHP efficiency.
|