Paper Title: Integration of a biomass-fired thermal plant with solar-turbine and solar-assisted dryer for multi-energy generation
Authors: John Isaac, Fidelis Abam, Bassey Okon, Patrick Adah, Uduma Okoro, Cyprian Igube, Nnaemeka S. Obuka,Archibong Archibong-Eso
Corresponding Author: John Isaac (newton4y@yahoo.com), Nigeria
Abstract
The study analyzed the thermodynamics and environmental performance of a biomass-based solar-assisted trigeneration system for power, cooling, and hot water production. The system uses municipal waste in an incinerator and a solar tower with a gas turbine supplemented by natural gas. It includes an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for power, a vapor absorption system (VAS) for refrigeration, and a gas turbine. The analysis focused on thermodynamic, exergoeconomic, and thermo-environmental perspectives, considering indicators like the exergetic utility index (EUI), exergo thermal index (ETI), waste exergy ratio (WER), and sustainability index (SI). Simulation results show a net output of 6.128 MW, a cooling capacity of 131.1 kW, and a cooling water flow of 65.14 kg/s. The energy and exergy efficiencies are 66.68% and 53%, respectively. The solar tower helps reduce natural gas use by 633.6 kg/h, lowering carbon emissions. Exergy destruction is highest in the incinerator and combustion chamber. The exergoeconomic analysis shows minimal cost reduction in the gas turbine air compressor and incinerator. Thermo-environmental indicators were recorded as EUI 0.6992, ETI 0.9161, WER 1.092, and SI 0.6109, reflecting the system’s environmental friendliness due to efficient energy use and low discharge temperatures.
Keywords
Biomass, Environmental, Sustainability, Turbine, Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC)
Cite:
Isaac, J. ., Abam, F. ., Okon, B. ., Adah, P. ., Okoro, U. ., Igube, C. ., Obuka, N. S. ., & Archibong-Eso, A. . (2025). Integration of a biomass-fired thermal plant with solar-turbine and solar-assisted dryer for multi-energy generation. Future Sustainability, 3(1), 36–48. Retrieved from https://fupubco.com/fusus/article/view/248
