Financial viability of hydrogen-enriched gas produced adopting air-steam gasification for power generation: A detailed comparative study and sensitivity analysis with air gasification systems

Abstract

The financial viability of an air-steam gasification system coupled to an internal combustion engine for power generation application was studied. An experimental set-up established key parameters were identified, and a baseline was created using air as an oxidising agent. Air steam mixtures were used as an oxidising agent, emphasising the enrichment of the hydrogen fraction in the syngas, thereby increasing the energy density. The financial analysis was performed based on the experimental data collected from a prototype. An increase in hydrogen fraction has significantly reduced the specific fuel consumption, i.e., from 1.25 to 0.94 kg per kWh. The levelised cost of electricity generation through air gasification is INR 8.85 per kWh. The payback period of air-steam gasification-based power plants is 4.16 years, whereas it is 5.35 years for air-gasification power plants. Adopting an air-steam gasification system improves the financial performance of biomass power plants.