Thermodynamic assessment of the integrated gasification-power plant operating in the sawmill industry: An energy and exergy analysis

Biomass thermochemical conversion into heat and electricity is a promising technological alternative for the management of the biomass residues from the sawmill process. In this study, an energetic and exergetic analysis for syngas production from biomass gasification has been performed, including its potential use for heat and power generation. A stoichiometric model of biomass gasification with air as gasifying agent was accomplished to evaluate the syngas production and the potential energy recovery from pinewood chips residues. From the thermodynamic analysis of the biomass residues gasification process and syngas production, it was observed that a cold-gas and hot-gas efficiencies close to 74.5% and 84.6% could be achieved by considering an ER ratio of 0.34, respectively; while energy losses represented 15.3% of the total energy input to the gasifier. Furthermore, an exergy balance of the integrated gasification-power plant (IGPP) was considered. Biomass gasification and power generation processes showed a higher contribution to the total destroyed exergy; reaching values of 42.4% and 45.5% of the total destroyed exergy, respectively. According to energy balance, the IGPP and heat recovery from exhaust gases could supply 52.6% of electricity and 38.9% of thermal energy requirements for the sawmill process.