Optimization and payback period of steam production by biomass combustor for Agro-industry

Abstract

Abstract This research paper aims to particularly raise the issue how optimization of steam production produced by a biomass combustor is regarded to agricultural industry, for the produced steam will consequently be applied to sterilization or even drying process. The most optimal level of steam production will be explored as to how to optimally achieve flow rate of air, Rate of fuel input and the rate of steam production, and steam production in compliance with the given 100 kg/h capacity and the required temperature of between 90-100 OC Celsius. Biomassed steam production incorporates 3 major parts: 1) biomass combustor, 2) heat exchanger system (coiled tube), and 3) control system, administered the whole process, located at the School of Renewable Energy Technology, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok. A combustion system was tested through the implementation of eucalyptus charcoal as the main source of energy. The research finding revealed that the combustion system could generate steam at 100 kg/h which consumed eucalyptus charcoal at the temperature value of Heating value of fuel (HHV) was 30.0 MJ/kg. This was conducted within the biomass combustor, engaged with a coil tube, at the flow rate of 172.8 kg/h, the value of feed rate of fuel at 15 kg/h, and a steam production rate at 100 kg/h respectively. The efficiency of steam production was at 58.25%. When the taken result was brought to compare with a mathematical model of steam production, it was found out that the error value was 0.9997 which could usefully be used to predict steam production in the system. With reference to the economical benefit, when compared to steam production produced by LPG fuel at 100 kg/h production rate, it was obvious that steam production generated by biomass could redeem the spent investing cost with less than one year. This would greatly be interesting and applicable to industry particularly agriculture.