Efficiency assessment of an integrated gasifier/boiler system for hydrogen production with different biomass types

Abstract

In this study, we utilize some experimental data taken from the literature, especially on the air-blown gasification characteristics of six different biomass fuels, namely almond shell (ASF), walnut pruning (WPF), rice straw (RSF), whole tree wood chips (WWF), sludge (SLF) and non-recyclable waste paper (NPF) in order to study the thermodynamic performance of an integrated gasifier–boiler power system for its hydrogen production. In this regard, both energy and exergy efficiencies of the system are investigated. The exergy contents of different biomass fuels are calculated to be ranging from 15.89 to 22.07 MJ/kg, respectively. The hydrogen concentrations based on the stack gases at the cyclone exit are determined to be between 7 and 18 (%v/v) for NPF and ASF. Also, percentages of combustible vary from 30% to 46%. The stack gas has physical and chemical exergies. The total specific exergy rates are calculated and illustrated. These values change from 3.54 to 6.41 MJ/kg. Then, two types of exergy efficiencies are calculated, such as that exergy efficiency 1 is examined via all system powers, exergy and efficiency 2 is calculated according to specific exergy rates of biomass fuels and product gases. While the exergy efficiencies 1 change between 4.33% and 11.89%, exergy efficiencies 2 vary from 18.33% to 39.64%. Also, irreversibilities range from 9.76 to 18.02 MJ/kg. Finally, we investigate how nitrogen contents of biomass fuels affect on energy and exergy efficiencies. The SLF has the highest amount of nitrogen content as 5.64% db while the NPF has the lowest one as 0.14% db. The minimum and maximum exergetic efficiencies belong to the same fuels. Obviously, the higher the nitrogen content the lower the efficiency based on an inverse ratio between exergy efficiency and nitrogen content.