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Modelling of biomass gasifier and microturbine for the olive oil industry
Author(s) -
Vera D.,
Jurado F.,
Panopoulos K. D.,
Grammelis P.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.1802
Subject(s) - wood gas generator , heat of combustion , waste management , pomace , biomass (ecology) , renewable energy , process engineering , environmental science , engineering , combustion , chemistry , electrical engineering , coal , biochemistry , oceanography , organic chemistry , geology
SUMMARY The olive oil industry generates several solid wastes. Among these residues are olive tree leaves, prunings, and dried olive pomace (orujillo) from the extraction process. These renewable energy sources can be used for heat and power production. The aim of this paper consists of modelling and simulation of a small‐scale combined heat and power (CHP) plant (fuelled with olive industry wastes) incorporating a downdraft gasifier, gas cleaning and cooling subsystem, and a microturbine as the power generation unit. The gasifier was modelled with thermodynamic equilibrium calculations (fixed bed type, stratified and with an open top). This gasifier operates at atmospheric pressure with a reaction temperature about 800°C. Simulation results (biomass consumption, gasification efficiency, rated gas flow, calorific value, gas composition, etc.) are compared with a real gasification technology. The product gas obtained has a low heating value (4.8–5.0 MJ Nm −3 ) and the CHP system provides 30 kW e and 60 kW th . High system overall CHP efficiencies around 50% are achievable with such a system. The proposed system has been modelled using Cycle‐Tempo software ® . Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.