Cascaded Absorption Heat Pump Integration in Biomass CHP Systems: Multi-Source Waste Heat Recovery for Low-Carbon District Heating

Pengying Wang () and Hangyu Zhou
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Pengying Wang: College of Engineering and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Hangyu Zhou: College of Engineering and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-18

Abstract: District heating systems in northern China predominantly rely on coal-fired heat sources, necessitating sustainable alternatives to reduce carbon emissions. This study investigates a biomass combined heat and power (CHP) system integrated with cascaded absorption heat pump (AHP) technology to recover waste heat from semi-dry flue gas desulfurization exhaust and turbine condenser cooling water. A multi-source operational framework is developed, coordinating biomass CHP units with coal-fired boilers for peak-load regulation. The proposed system employs a two-stage heat recovery methodology: preliminary sensible heat extraction from non-saturated flue gas (elevating primary heating loop (PHL) return water from 50 °C to 55 °C), followed by serial AHPs utilizing turbine extraction steam to upgrade waste heat from circulating cooling water (further heating PHL water to 85 °C). Parametric analyses demonstrate that the cascaded AHP system reduces turbine steam extraction by 4.4 to 8.8 t/h compared to conventional steam-driven heating, enabling 3235 MWh of annual additional power generation. Environmental benefits include an annual CO 2 reduction of 1821 tonnes, calculated using regional grid emission factors. The integration of waste heat recovery and multi-source coordination achieves synergistic improvements in energy efficiency and operational flexibility, advancing low-carbon transitions in district heating systems.

Keywords: absorption heat pump; biomass combined heat and power; district heating; waste heat recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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