The Bio-Fuel Boiler House Concept in the District Heating Applications

Abstract

Abstract The biomass boiler house concept in the district heating applications, both from technical and economical point of view is detailed analyzed to assure the most effective investment and future operation. This paper is concerned with the application of the Bio-fuel Boilers (BfB) as a one of perspective way of the District Heating System (DHS) modernization programs in Poland. Considering use of bio-fuels, Poland has relatively big potential particularly in bio-mass. Appropriate bio-mass technology is mainly related to the potential and supply of the bio-mass in cosidered region of the country. Usually, due to supply of bio-fuel, bio-mass fired boiler house not exceeds 30–40 MW. For the purpose of selection of appropriate type and capacity of the BfB for installation in the District Heating Plant (DHP), operational analysis of the DHS and investigation of possible implementation of the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems were performed. Also, investment costs for the BfB and the TES system application in the DHS were assessed. Operational analysis of the DHS covered supply and demand side i.e., heat generation by the DHP and heat consumption by the consumers. Heat consumption analysis during summer season was carried out in order to increase operational efficiency of the BfB installations and for investigation of the TES systems application in the DHS. Heat storage in the DHS and its influence on capacity and operation of the BfB was also investigated. Both, heat accumulation by the District Heating Network (DHN) and by the non-pressure TES system were analyzed. Finally, results of calculation of the required capacity of the TES systems assuring continuous and efficient operation of the BfB installation in the DHS, especially during summer season were shown. Some advantages of the TES system implementation in the DHS in case where the BfB are applied in the DHP were presented as well.