Modeling of a biomass high temperature steam gasifier integrated with assisted solar energy and a micro gas turbine

A mathematical model that describes a trailer scale biomass steam gasification system coupled with a solar collector heat source and a micro gas turbine is reported in this paper. This combined heat and power system is set to a prescribed output of 20 kWe and several system conditions have been optimized in a parametric study to minimize resource consumption rates. Biomass feeding rates under optimal conditions were found to range between 23 and 63 kg/h depending on the types of feedstock and other parameters. Water consumption is reduced through a condensation and recirculation process that is part of a heat recovery unit. Also, solar energy requirements have been reduced by means of a recuperator that extracts heat out of the combustion products. The overall system performance has been evaluated by a utilization factor which was found to range between 30% and 43%. The system has been compared to a baseline case of an air breathing gasification system of a similar scale. It was found that steam gasification produces the syngas with heating values over twice as high as those obtained by air gasification. Steam gasification also led to a 25% and 50% reduction in emission rates of contaminants like CO2 and nitrogen oxides respectively relative to the baseline case.