Biomass - Energy Toolbox

Technical Aspects of the Development of Dendro-power (continued)

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Target characteristics and specification of parameters for a 3 MW rated biomass-fired steam turbine system would typically be:

Annual operational hours 8,000 hours per year
Fuel rating at 20% moisture 4 tonne/hour
Average LHV of biomass fuel 3,300 Kcal/kg
Working temperature of furnace
950- 1000 deg C
Minimum volume of combustion chamber
75 m3
Capacity of starter burner
800,000 Kcal/hour
Starter fuel consumption
150 kg diesel oil
Superheated steam temperature
500 deg C
Superheated steam pressure
41 bar
Steam produced
13.4 tonne/hour
Flue gas flow
34,000 Nm3/hour
Turbine power output
3,000kW
Internal system power requirements
300kW
Energy efficiency of system
20%
Ash disposal
< refuse standards
Gaseous emissions (CO, dust, NOx, SO2, volatile organics, etc
< pollution standards

The basic elements of a biomass-fired steam turbine technology system are typically:

  • Fuel storage and pretreatment (drying or size reduction) as required
  • Screw feeder to transport fuel onto grate
  • Combustion chamber and steam generator
  • Axial flow steam turbine
  • Condenser
  • Flue gas treatment and chimney
  • Water treatment for boiler feed water
  • Cooling water supply

In looking at the choice of appropriate technologies, attention has to first be made to whether the unit is to serve the community directly in an off-grid capacity or whether the intention is to establish a commercial unit capable of feeding the grid. This aspect is considered from the following links. From this page, the types and units available and the variables that need to be considered and issues related to connectivity is made, as well as a review of future trends in generation within the Sri Lanka context.

More information on grid connection and off-grid generation

As part of the whole issue of planning the future location of dendro-power units (whether they be linked to the grid or to serve a community with no short-medium term expectation of being connected to the national grid), there are a series of variables that need to be considered: for example; population distribution, land availability for fuelwood production, growth conditions for the crop (rainfall, soils) as well as the perceived demand and interest of the community is taking part in such a venture. One way of assisting in national and regional planning is to overlay as many of these variables as we can in the form of Geographical Information System (GIS) and to get a combined integrated view of what seems to be the most economically viable locations.

As well as the role of wood and agricultural waste in the development of electrical power, an important aspect is the continuing role of such material for heat energy. This is particularly important in S. Asia where fuelwood and such material as rice husk has been used for tea and tobacco drying. Further consideration of the industrial use of heat energy is provided with particular emphasis on the situation in Sri Lanka.

More Information on industrial heat energy

In terms of the overall energy budget, the use of wood still dominates the energy equation of most developing countries. This particularly relates to the household sector and small enterprises making use of wood for cooking and fuelling kilns. An analysis of the household sector is provided for Sri Lanka including an assessment of the role of biogas.

More Information on the household sector

As the cost of fossil fuels become more and more expensive, the economics of using biofuels becomes more desirable. In Europe, a directive on the Promotion of the use of Biofuels for Transport proposes a target of 5.75% for the share of biofuels to be used in the transport sector by 2010. In Cambodia for example, there has been recent interest in the use of the crop Jatropha curcas for bio-diesel as well as in such places as Indonesia and India. This is discussed further in a paper prepared by Andrew Williamson of the Cambodian Research Centre for Development.
View Paper
[PDF 508Kb]

Consideration of the issues related to the development of bio-fuels for Sri Lanka are considered further on the webpage covering The Transport Sector.

More information on the Transport Sector

 


 

Technical aspects subindex

Technical aspects of dendro-power - page 1
Technical aspects of dendro-power - page 2
Technical aspects of dendro-power - page 3
Subsections
Grid and Off-grid power generation
Industrial Heat Energy
Household Sector
Transport Sector