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Options for Small and Medium Scale Power Generation from Biomass
Author(s) -
McIlveenWright D.,
Williams B. C.,
Mcmullan J. T.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
developments in chemical engineering and mineral processing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1932-2143
pISSN - 0969-1855
DOI - 10.1002/apj.5500070109
Subject(s) - integrated gasification combined cycle , biomass (ecology) , process engineering , biomass gasification , electricity generation , scale (ratio) , combustion , environmental science , waste management , engineering , power (physics) , biofuel , chemistry , quantum mechanics , geology , oceanography , physics , organic chemistry
The technical and economic performance of a variety of options for producing electric power from woody biomass are assessed using the ECLIPSE suite of computer programs. The studies have included both fixed and fluidised bed combustion and gasification of the biomass with power generation from a range of small and medium scale steam turbines, gas engines, fuel cells or gas turbines in conventional, STIG and ISTIG modes. For the small‐scale systems, gasification integrated with a gas engine was found to be the most appropriate of the current technologies, and gasification integrated with Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells the most promising technology for future development. For medium‐scale systems, the IGCC systems were found to be the most efficient, but the less efficient combustion systems were competitive on cost. STIG and ISTIG systems offer promise for the future.