Prototypical Biomass-Fired Micro-Cogeneration Systems—Energy and Ecological Analysis

Krzysztof Sornek
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Krzysztof Sornek: Faculty of Energy and Fuels, Department of Sustainable Energy Development, AGH University of Science and Technology, Mickiewicza Ave. 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: Combined heat and power systems dedicated to micro-scale applications are currently increasing in popularity. The use of such systems is beneficial from the standpoint of increasing the usage of renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency and reducing CO 2 emissions into the atmosphere. This paper shows two examples of prototypical micro-cogeneration systems powered by biomass. In the first, smaller one, electricity is generated in thermoelectric generators using heat from the wood-fired stove. The second one is equipped with a 100 kW t batch boiler and operates according to a modified Rankine cycle. The energy and ecological analysis were conducted and discussed, including selected aspects of heat and power generation and gaseous pollutant emission. Measurements were performed using a dedicated control and measurement station with a PLC controller. As was shown, thermoelectric generators operated respectively with the power of 22.5 W e in the case of the air-cooled unit and 31.2 W e in the case of the water-cooled unit. On the other hand, the maximum power level of ca. 1145 W e was obtained in the system with a batch boiler operating according to a modified Rankine cycle. The ecological analysis showed that the average amount of CO emission during the wood combustion in the tested stove was 1916 mg/m 3 (in the combustion phase). In the case of straw combustion, it was characterized by lower CO 2 emissions compared to coal, but higher CO 2 emissions compared to gasoline and natural gas. Based on the obtained results, some outlines for the systems development were given.

Keywords: cogeneration; thermoelectric generator; Rankine cycle; biomass; renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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