Experimental and numerical analysis of a micro scale cogeneration system with 100 kW straw-fired boiler

  • Maciej Żołądek AGH University
  • Krzysztof Sornek AGH University
  • Rafał Damian Figaj AGH University
  • Mariusz Filipowicz AGH University

Abstract

Straw-fired batch boilers, due to their simple structure and low operating costs, are an interesting option for heating systemsdedicated to use in houses, farms, schools, industrial facilities and other buildings. Commercially available solutions includetypical water boilers and air heaters with a thermal oil jacket. The high temperature of thermal oil (180-200C) mean straw-fireddevices can be used as a source of heat for micro scale cogeneration and trigeneration systems.The first part of this paper shows an experimental analysis of a micro scale cogeneration system based on modifiedRankine Cycle operation. A 100 kWth straw-fired batch boiler with thermal oil jacket was used as a high temperature heatsource. Thermal oil, heated in the boiler, was transferred respectively to the evaporator, superheater and oil/water emergencyheat exchanger. The steam generated was conditioned and used to power a 20 hp steam engine. Cooling water, heated inthe condenser, was pumped to a 4 m3 water tank connected to two air coolers. Control of the system operation was realizedusing a dedicated automation system based on the PLC controller.In the second part of this study, a micro scale cogeneration system was developed and modelled in TRNSYS softwareon the basis of the experimental installation. The dynamic operation conditions in terms of temperatures and powers wereanalyzed for the main components of the system (boiler, evaporator steam engine, condenser). Moreover, some modificationsin the system construction were proposed to improve its performance.The results of the experimental tests were used to identify the main aspects of the considered system—temperature,pressure and power levels in oil, steam and water circuits and operating parameters of the steam engine. Dynamic simulationsperformed in TRNSYS pointed to the nominal operation scenario for the tested system and showed the great potential forfurther improvements in the system construction.

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Published
2019-04-15
How to Cite
ŻOŁĄDEK, Maciej et al. Experimental and numerical analysis of a micro scale cogeneration system with 100 kW straw-fired boiler. Journal of Power Technologies, [S.l.], v. 99, n. 2, p. 92–97, apr. 2019. ISSN 2083-4195. Available at: <https://papers.itc.pw.edu.pl/index.php/JPT/article/view/1466>. Date accessed: 02 nov. 2024.
Section
Contemporary Problems of Thermal Engineering 2018 Gliwice

Keywords

micro cogeneration, renewable energy sources, trigeneration, biomass, straw-fired boiler, TRNSYS, dynamic simulations,

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