Abstract
Over the last years, much attention has been paid to the development of efficient and low-cost power systems for biomass-to-electricity conversion. This paper aims at investigating the design- and part-load performance of an innovative plant based on a wet indirectly fired gas turbine (WIFGT) fueled by woodchips and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) turbogenerator. An exergy analysis is performed to identify the sources of inefficiencies, the optimal design variables, and the most suitable working fluid for the organic Rankine process. This step enables to parametrize the part-load model of the plant and to estimate its performance at different power outputs. The novel plant has a nominal power of 250 kW and a thermal efficiency of 43%. The major irreversibilities take place in the burner, recuperator, compressor and in the condenser. Toluene is the optimal working fluid for the organic Rankine engine. The part-load investigation indicates that the plant can operate at high efficiencies over a wide range of power outputs (50%–100%), with a peak thermal efficiency of 45% at around 80% load. While the ORC turbogenerator is responsible for the efficiency drop at low capacities, the off-design performance is governed by the efficiency characteristics of the compressor and turbine serving the gas turbine unit.
Highlights
In March 2007, the Council of the European Union [1] approved the so-called 20-20-20 goals
This paper aims at evaluating the optimal design and the part-load performance of an innovative plant consisting of a wet indirectly fired gas turbine (WIFGT) fueled by woodchips and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) turbogenerator
The design- and part-load performance of an innovative plant consisting of a WIFGT fueled by woodchips and an ORC were investigated
Summary
In March 2007, the Council of the European Union [1] approved the so-called 20-20-20 goals. One of the ambitious targets is to reach a minimum of a 20% share of renewable energy in the European Union by the end of 2020. While the major contribution should come from wind and solar power [2], biomass is expected to play a relevant role in the future energy scenario. The Danish association of engineers (IDA) has recently proposed to increase the total amount of biomass resources in Denmark from the present 90 PJ to 180 PJ in 2030 [2]. The IDA targets an energy system for Denmark based solely on renewable energy sources, and the association estimates that by 2050 biomass may cover 80% of the Danish primary energy consumption.
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