Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
646681 | Applied Thermal Engineering | 2014 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
The objective of the present article is to assess and compare the performance of electricity generation systems integrated with downdraft biomass gasifiers for distributed power generation. A model for estimating the electric power generation of internal combustion engines and gas turbines powered by syngas was developed. First, the model determines the syngas composition and the lower heating value; and second, these data are used to evaluate power generation in Otto, Diesel, and Brayton cycles. Four synthesis gas compositions were tested for gasification with: air; pure oxygen; 60% oxygen with 40% steam; and 60% air with 40% steam. The results show a maximum power ratio of 0.567Â kWh/Nm3 for the gas turbine system, 0.647Â kWh/Nm3 for the compression ignition engine, and 0.775Â kWh/Nm3 for the spark-ignition engine while running on synthesis gas which was produced using pure oxygen as gasification agent. When these three systems run on synthesis gas produced using atmospheric air as gasification agent, the maximum power ratios were 0.274Â kWh/Nm3 for the gas turbine system, 0.302Â kWh/Nm3 for CIE, and 0.282Â kWh/Nm3 for SIE. The relationship between power output and synthesis gas flow variations is presented as is the dependence of efficiency on compression ratios. Since the maximum attainable power ratio of CIE is higher than that of SIE for gasification with air, more research should be performed on utilization of synthesis gas in CIE.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Chemical Engineering
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Authors
Andrés Z. Mendiburu, Justo J. Roberts, João A. Jr., José L. Silveira,