Energetic and Exergetic Performances of a Retrofitted, Large-Scale, Biomass-Fired CHP Coupled to a Steam-Explosion Biomass Upgrading Plant, a Biorefinery Process and a High-Temperature Heat Network

Roeland De Meulenaere, Tim Maertens, Ale Sikkema, Rune Brusletto, Tanja Barth and Julien Blondeau
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Roeland De Meulenaere: Thermo and Fluid Dynamics (FLOW), Faculty of Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tim Maertens: Onyx Power, Missouriweg 69, 3199 LB Maasvlakte, The Netherlands
Ale Sikkema: Onyx Power, Missouriweg 69, 3199 LB Maasvlakte, The Netherlands
Rune Brusletto: Arbaflame, Henrik Ibsens Gate 90, 0255 Oslo, Norway
Tanja Barth: Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, Allégaten 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway
Julien Blondeau: Thermo and Fluid Dynamics (FLOW), Faculty of Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-15

Abstract: This paper aims at assessing the impact of retrofitting an existing, 730 MW e , coal-fired power plant into a biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant on its energetic and exergetic performances. A comprehensive thermodynamic model of the power plant was developed and validated against field data, resulting in less than 1 % deviation between the model and the measurements for the main process parameters. The validated model was then used to predict the behaviour of the biomass CHP after retrofitting. The modelled CHP unit is coupled to a steam-explosion biomass upgrading plant, a biorefinery process, and a high-temperature heat network. 13 scenarios were studied. At constant boiler load, delivering heat to the considered heat clients can increase the total energy efficiency of the plant from 44 % (electricity only) to 64 % , while the total exergy efficiency decreases from 39 % to 35 % . A total energy efficiency of 67 % could be reached by lowering the network temperature from 120 ∘ C to 70 ∘ C. Identifying the needed heat clients could, however, represent a limiting factor to reach such high efficiencies. For a constant power demand, increasing the boiler load from 80 to 100 % in order to provide additional heat makes the total energy efficiency increase from 43 % to 55 % , while the total exergy efficiency decreases from 39 % to 36 % .

Keywords: biomass; CHP; retrofit; exergy; steam-explosion (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: 2021
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