Modeling and Experimental Study of a Small Scale Olive Pomace Gasifier for Cogeneration: Energy and Profitability Analysis

Abstract

A thermodynamic model of a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, fed by syngas produced by dry olive pomace gasification is here presented. An experimental study is carried out to inform the proposed model. The plant is designed to produce electric power (200 kW el ) and hot-water by using a cogenerative micro gas turbine (micro GT). Before being released, exhausts are used to dry the biomass from 50% to 17% wb. The ChemCad software is used to model the gasification process, and input data to inform the model are taken from experimental tests. The micro GT and cogeneration sections are modeled assuming data from existing commercial plants. The paper analyzes the whole conversion process from wet biomass to heat and power production, reporting energy balances and costs analysis. The investment profitability is assessed in light of the Italian regulations, which include feed-in-tariffs for biomass based electricity generation.

Modelling and experimental analysis of a small-scale olive pomace gasifier for cogeneration applications: A techno-economic assessment

“…The CGE generally comes as a great deal whenever conversion processes of this nature are involved, however, one must consider the best achievable CGE for the intended needs. In this study the low CGE (about 20%) does not hamper significantly the process at this rural small-scale [15]. Here, the system output aspect is particularly crucial once the project NPV relies considerably on revenues coming from the electricity production and national electricity sales tariff (which comprises a certain uncertainty due to its dependence on energy market prices fluctuations and subsidies).…”

“…Thus, a techno-economic analysis is developed to assess the economic feasibility from an investor point of view of this project along a certain lifetime period. As an endeavor to bring this analysis as close as possible to a real practical application, this study was built based on literature review concerning investment projects in olive pomace gasification in small cogeneration facilities [15,[24][25][26]. The purposed unit consists of an 800 kW small-scale cogeneration plant lodged within the agriculture cooperative.…”

“…Physical, chemical and mechanical characteristics showed that these residues carry great potential to fuel combustion and gasification applications. Borello [15] developed a techno-economic analysis studying the viability of olive pomace gasification in cogeneration processes, and the results demonstrated the economic viability of the process implemented in Italy.…”

Low-Cost Syngas Shifting for Remote Gasifiers: Combination of CO2 Adsorption and Catalyst Addition in a Novel and Simplified Packed Structure

“…Based on this figure and the above-mentioned effectiveness, it is possible to affirm that including a packed bed in the upper part of the gasifier is a suitable alternative that can be combined with other proposals without increasing the implementation costs. In addition, the link between performance and profitability [63] shows that the CGE improvement (achieved by including the upper packed bed in experimental assays) should be validated in real operation, based on the presented results.…”

Influence of Oxidant Agent on Syngas Composition: Gasification of Hazelnut Shells through an Updraft Reactor

“…Wang et al [7] performed steam gasification of municipal solid waste, varying steam to fuel ratio and gasification temperature to find optimal operative conditions for better gas yield. Borello et al [8] performed an experimental and numerical campaign on gasification of olive pomace in an updraft reactor for a small scale CHP plant. Lucas et al [9] tested gasification of wood pellets in an updraft gasifier using steam and air preheated up to 1250 • C as oxidant agents.…”