A comprehensive thermo-economic assessment of an integrated poly-generation plant powered by biomass and natural gas

Abstract

In response to the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions, this study introduces a novel poly-generation energy plant that integrates biomass and natural gas to produce electricity, hot water, and cooling loads. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the thermo-economic performance of the proposed system through an exergo-economic analysis using the SPECO approach. This innovative system uniquely combines a double-effect absorption refrigeration cycle, a gasifier unit, a biomass burner unit, and a supercritical carbon dioxide cycle, contributing to enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability. Key findings revealed a net output power of 7.422 MW, an exergy unit cost of 14.8 $ GJ^-1, and an exergy efficiency of 35%. The gasifier was identified as a significant source of irreversibility, with notable exergy destruction occurring within its unit. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis demonstrated that variations in combustion pressure positively impacted the reduction of the cost per exergy unit across all products. This research provides valuable insights into the optimization of poly-generation systems, paving the way for improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact in integrated energy practices.