Abstract
A biomass-based combined heat and power (CHP) production system is proposed for a typical 150 million L (40 million gal) dry mill ethanol plant. The ethanol plant requires 5 MW power and 47 MW process heat. We propose a solid fuel handling system where biomass is received in square bales, grind or pellets. The biomass is further ground at the plant site and fed to suspension type burners. A detailed cost analysis from collecting biomass at the field to delivering heat and power to the ethanol plant is performed and the results are compared to those of natural gas and coal. Economics of using coal in the CHP plant looks attractive. However, greenhouse gas emissions are 18 times more than biomass fired CHP plant. With current natural gas prices ($8 GJ-1) as much as $4.3 million could be saved annually, when the dry mill ethanol plant is integrated with biomass CHP plant.
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