Small-Scale Solar–Bio-Hybrid Power Generation Using Brayton and Rankine Cycles

Mauricio Bustamante,Wei Liao,Abraham Engeda

doi:10.3390/en14020472

Mauricio Bustamante, Wei Liao + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14020472

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Jan 17, 2021
Citations: 7	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidad de Costa Rica, Michigan State University

Abstract

This study conducted a detailed technical analysis of small-scale solar–bio-hybrid power generation systems using Rankine (steam turbine) and Brayton (gas turbine) cycles. Thermodynamic models were developed to characterize the state of working fluid and select the most suitable solar collection technology for individual power generation systems. Net capacity factor of power generation and utilization efficiencies of solar and biogas energy were used as parameters to evaluate energy generation and conclude the preferred system configuration. The analysis concluded that the steam turbine system has better global efficiency (67.7%) than the gas turbine system (55.7%), while the gas turbine system has better electricity generation efficiency (27.0%) than that (5.6%) of the steam turbine system. The effects of different climates on the selection of suitable hybrid systems were also investigated to delineate suitability and feasibility of different hybrid systems. In addition, the method used in this study can also be applied to investigate and optimize other small-scale hybrid renewable energy generation systems.

Highlights

Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1323, USA
Many hybridization studies have focused on combining solar energy with fossil fuels [1,2], in which the concentrated solar energy is used as the heat source to raise temperature of working fluid prior to fuel combustion and improve energy generation efficiency [3,4]
In the solar–bio-hybrid steam power system (Figure 1b), solar thermal energy reduces the amount of heat required by the boiler, and decreases the biogas consumption

Summary

Introduction

Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1323, USA. The method used in this study can be applied to investigate and optimize other small-scale hybrid renewable energy generation systems. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an existing biological conversion process that has been proven effective on converting wet organic wastes into biogas (containing methane and carbon dioxide). It is capable of producing clean electricity while alleviating many of the environmental concerns associated with the wastes (odor, greenhouse gas emission, and ground water contamination) [12]. Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations

Results

Discussion

Conclusion