Evaluation and optimization of a novel system to produce electrical power, heat and freshwater based on biomass gasification

There is a recognized need for developing novel energy systems with low pollutions. There has been substantial research undertaken on the role of biomass gasification in developing novel energy systems. The principal objective of this project was to develop a novel tri-generation system to produce electrical power, heating power and freshwater. The system composed of a pine sawdust gasifier, supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycles, heat exchanger, desalination unit, combustion chamber, and organic Rankine cycle. Energy, exergy, and environmental analyses were performed on the system by considering equivalence ratio of gasifier, gasifier temperature, compression ratio, and combustion chamber inlet air. The results showed that at higher equivalence ratios, more hydrogen took part in the syngas composition; however, less carbon monoxide and methane participated. Lower equivalence ratios were favorable for more electrical and heating powers produced by the system and less emission effects while it resulted in less freshwater. Increasing compression ratios from 2 to 6 improved electrical power from 895.5 to 1083 kW while declined heating power from 913.9 to 706.9 kW. The system performance was also subjected to signal to noise ratio analysis for optimization purpose. The findings can contribute to a better understanding of driving tri-generation systems of electrical power, heating power, and freshwater based on biomass gasification.