Study of biomass-based integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) from agricultural residues in Thailand

Abstract

In this work, the production of electricity from biomass-based integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) with low pressure air-blown bubbling fluidized bed gasifier is investigated using a multi-criteria analysis framework, where commercial software is used to perform a simulation. We consider potential raw materials based on agricultural residues in Thailand, and operating condition of the IGCC in order to achieve high thermal efficiency with low emissions. The operating variables considered include feedstock flow rate, gasifier temperature, air to gasifer ratio and air to gas turbine ratio. We found that the change of operating condition of IGCC drastically affect to thermal efficiency, net power and environmental performance. Net power obtained from the cycle with palm oil shell feedstock is highest. Rice straw feedstock has highest thermal efficiency. Further, the most promising option is rice straw feedstock with 700-860 ℃ gasifier temperature, 2.4 air to gasifier ratio and 5 air to gas turbine ratio.