BIOMASS FUELLED POWER PLANTS

OUTLINES

Introduction Biomass and its sources Biomass power plant and its working Biomass power generation modes Social benefits Economic viability Prospective segments & challenges Conclusions References

INTRODUCTION

Enough Biomass resources in the world to cover the world’s energy demand.

Using Biomass sources for power generation is CO2

neutral.

WHAT IS BIOMASS ?

Biomass is a renewable energy source that is derived from living or recently living organisms.

It is produced by metabolic activities of biological systems (plants and animals) and/or products of their decomposition or conversion

The chemical and energetic value of those materials is based on the carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bond

Biomass suitable for utilization must have a net heating value

SOURCES OF BIOMASS

•Comes from the forest•Can also come from plant and animal waste•Wood and waste can be found virtually anywhere

OVERVIEW

Biomass can be chemically and biochemically treated to convert it to a energy-rich fuel.

Thermal energy is extracted by means of combustion, pyrolysis, and gasification.

Energy derived from biomass is mostly used to generate electricity or to produce heat.

KEY COMPONENTS OF BIOMASS POWER PLANT

Fuel storage and handling equipment Combustor / furnace Boiler Pumps Fans Steam turbine Generator Condenser Cooling tower Exhaust / emissions controls System controls (automated).

HOW IS ELECTRICITY GENERATED FROM BIOMASS

HOW DOES BIOMASS POWERPLANT WORK

BIOMASS POWER GENERATION MODES

Different types of biomass power generation modes are Combustion Gasification combustion Mixed burning Gasification mixed burning

BIOMASS POWER GENERATION MODES

COMBUSTION Biomass burned directly in boiler to produce steam to

generate electricity Main advantage

Mature technology Low running cost Simple biomass pretreatment

Disadvantage Low efficiency at small scale single biomass fuel large investment

Application Large scale power generation

BIOMASS POWER GENERATION MODE

GASIFICATION COMBUSTION solid biomass breaks down to form a

flammable gas. Biomass gasified first and then fuel gas

burned in gas turbine or engine

Gasification Advantage

High efficiency at small scale Flexible in capacity Low investment

Disadvantage Complex equipment High maintenance cost

Applications Medium and small system Combined cycles , which combine gas turbines and

steam turbines to produce electricity

BIOMASS POWER GENERATION MODE

MIXED BURNING Biomass mixed with coal and burned in boiler

Main advantage Simple and convenient operation Least investment if no reconstruction of existing

device Main disadvantage

Strict biomass pretreatment and quality Some impact on original system.

Application Suitable for timber biomass.

BIOMASS POWER GENERATION MODES

Gasification –mixed burning Biomass gasified first and then fuel gas burned with coal

in boiler Main advantage

Universal application Low impact on original coal-fired system Economic benefit

Main disadvantage Complex management Certain metal erosion problem

Application Power generation system for mass biomass.

VARIOUS TECHNIQUES AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE

Biomass liquefaction via pyrolysis A process similar to Gasification Heating of Hydrocarbons in zero oxygen condition Condenses the vapors to obtain Bio-oil (pyrolysis

oil) Bio-oil is easily transportable, store and handle Can be combusted in boiler for heat or electrical

generation

VARIOUS TECHNIQUES AND OPTIONS AVAILABLE

Organic plant based oil(crude palm oil-CPO) Generation of electricity using CPO.

Biogas anaerobic digestion. a type of fermentation that converts organic

material into biogas. it mainly consists of methane (approximately

60%) and carbon dioxide(approximately 40%). Power generation using scrubbed methane gas.

SOCIAL BENEFITS OF BIOMASS POWER GENERATION

Biomass power generates electricity that is: reliable, domestically produced, economically competitive and environmentally sustainable.

Since biomass energy uses domestically-produced fuels, biomass power: greatly reduces our dependence on foreign

energy sources, increases our national security and provides greater fuel diversity.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Minimizes cost involved with waste disposal

Can generate money for community It provide job opportunity in rural areas Power from biomass gasifier based

plants are cheap in rural areas Overall cost of installation, running,

transmission, labor etc. per unit cost of electricity is low.

PROSPECTIVE SEGMENTS & CHALLENGES

Biomass Combustion power plant is attractive to: Industrial Factories owners Plantation/Mill owners

Sugar cane (Bagasse) Rice (Rice Husks) Wood/Paper (Wood Wastes) Corn (Corn Wastes) Palm Oil (Empty Fruit Bunches, Shells) Cassava (Roots, Stems)

Able to supply both Electricity and Heat (steam) for factory use

Main challenges: securing the long term supply of Biomass fuel source at stable prices selling price of electricity, if connected to the grid to sell electricity

CONCLUSIONS

Uses low cost waste materials

Recycling waste materials can be a solution to the problems with disposing of waste products

Reduced dependence on foreign oil

Biomass plants operate in a reliable and consistent manner providing crucial base load power generation.

REFERENCES

“Biomass power generation modes.”http://www.V-FLO.com

B H KHAN, “Non-conventional energy resources” , 3RD edition, pub. year 2006

“Biomass energy” www.amrenewables.com Pyrolysis and Other Thermal Processing. [U.S.

Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program]http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/printable_versions/pyrolysis.html