Techno-economic assessment of a gasification plant for distributed cogeneration in the agrifood sector

This research work presents a techno-economic analysis of a biomass gasification plant fueled with residues from the olive oil and almond industries for combined heat and power generation in the agrifood sector. The experimental plant consists of a downdraft fixed bed gasifier, a producer gas cleani...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Aguado-Molina, Roque, Vera, David, López-García, Diego, Pérez-Torreglosa, Juan, Jurado, Francisco
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Jaén
Repositorio:RUJA. Repositorio Institucional de la Producción Científica de la Universidad de Jaén
OAI Identifier:oai:ruja.ujaen.es:10953/3218
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10953/3218
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Agrifood industry wastes
Downdraft gasifier
Combined heat and power (CHP)
Descripción
Sumario:This research work presents a techno-economic analysis of a biomass gasification plant fueled with residues from the olive oil and almond industries for combined heat and power generation in the agrifood sector. The experimental plant consists of a downdraft fixed bed gasifier, a producer gas cleaning and cooling system and a spark-ignition engine–generator set as a power generation unit, which generates about 10–12 kW of rated electric power. With an average consumption between 13–14 kg/h of exhausted olive pomace pellets as feedstock, the producer gas volumetric flow rate was 31 Nm3/h (vol. %: 19.2 H2, 12.9 CO, 1.9 CH4, 19.2 CO2, 46.7 N2). The average cold gas efficiency was nearly 63%. This work also addresses the characterization and potential application of the carbonaceous solid residue (biochar), discharged from the gasifier at 1.7 kg/h. Finally, an economic feasibility analysis was developed, wherein the payback period ranges between 5–9 years.