Thermodynamic cycle analyses of biomass gasifier-based electric power stations at two scales, nominally 5 and 20 MWe (net electric power output), were performed to assess process performance and viability. Various configurations (Rankine, simple, steam-injected gas turbine, and combined cycles) of a 5 MW stand-alone power station were modeled and a 20 MW biomass-based integrated gasifier combined-cycle cogeneration facility at a sugar factory was simulated. Information gained from these analyses will be applied to determine whether biomass gasification-based electricity production is practicable in Hawaii and other sugar producing locales.

Issue Section:
Gas Turbines: Coal, Biomass, and Alternative Fuels
Topics:
Biomass, Cycles, Electricity (Physics), Combined cycles, Combined heat and power, Fuel gasification, Gas turbines, Power stations, Steam, Thermodynamic cycles
1.
Craig, K. R., and Mann, M. K., 1996, “Cost and Performance Analysis of Biomass-Based Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle (BIGCC) Power Systems,” NREL/TP-430-21657, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO.
2.
Gas Turbine World 1996 Handbook, 1996, Vol. 17, Pequot Publishing, Inc., Fairfield, CT.
3.
Institute of Gas Technology, 1996, projected data for PDU operated under conditions of commercial-scale gasifier, submitted to Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
4.
Kinoshita
C. M.
,
1991
a, “
Flue Gas Drying of Bagasse
,”
ASAE Applied Engineering in Agriculture
, Vol.
7
, No.
6
, pp.
729
–
734
.
5.
Kinoshita, C. M., 1991b, “Potential for Cane Energy,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Energy from Sugarcane, pp. 41–65.
6.
Kinoshita, C. M., Turn, S. Q., Overend, R. P., and Bain, R. L., 1996, “Power Generation Potential of Biomass Gasification Systems,” Proceedings of the 1996 American Power Conference, April 11-19, Chicago, IL.
7.
Larson, E. D., and Williams, R. H., 1990, “Biomass-Fired Steam Injected Gas Turbine Cogeneration,” Biologue, pp. 12–19.
8.
Turn, S. Q., Kinoshita, C. M., Ishimura, D. M., and Zhou, J., 1997, “Gasification Characteristics of High Alkali Biomass Subjected to Mechanical Dewatering and Leaching Processes,” Leaching of Alkalis in Biomass Using Banagrass as a Prototype Herbaceous Species, Section 3, NREL Subcontract No. XCF-5-14326-01. Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii.
9.
Westinghouse Electric Corporation, 1995, “Hot Gas Cleanup for Operation of a Gas Turbine with a Fluidized Bed Air Blown Biomass Gasifier, Filter Performance Short Duration Tests, Volume III—PDU Operation and Analytical Results,” Subcontract No. XAZ-3-12092-01-106794, prepared by M. Onischak, R. H. Carty, and R. A. Knight, Institute of Gas Technology.
This content is only available via PDF.
Copyright © 1999
 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.