A review of thermochemical biomass conversion combined with Stirling engines for the small-scale cogeneration of heat and power

T. Schneider, D. Müller and J. Karl

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2020, vol. 134, issue C

Abstract: Small-scale cogeneration of heat and power using solid biomass fuels is a promising option for the decentralization of the energy supply in the future. In this context, numerous research activities and commercial developments focus on combined systems with Stirling engines and thermochemical conversion of biomass. However, only few of the reviewed concepts and developments achieved to provide commercially successful products. The main problems are ash melting issues and fouling on heat exchanger surfaces as a consequence of the required high temperature levels at the hot side of the Stirling engine. The systems reveal short operation and maintenance intervals as well as mechanical issues due to still insufficiently technically mature Stirling engine technologies. Recent research therefore focuses on the combination of Stirling engines with fluidized bed combustion as homogeneous temperature distribution, enhanced heat transfer and fuel flexibility provide theoretically advantages. Nevertheless, due to the thermodynamic boundary conditions and constraints the electrical efficiency of biomass-fired Stirling engines is limited to 15–20%. However, with the additional utilization of thermal energy at an overall fuel utilization efficiency above 80%, such a system can provide an attractive small-scale CHP solution.

Keywords: Combined heat and power; Small-scale CHP; Stirling engine; Biomass; Thermochemical conversion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032120305761
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:rensus:v:134:y:2020:i:c:s1364032120305761

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/bibliographic
http://www.elsevier. ... 600126/bibliographic

DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110288

Access Statistics for this article

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews is currently edited by L. Kazmerski

More articles in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().