Research Hidila - UFV: Using biomass for energy production

There are different types of efficient approaches to improve the energy production process. The use of bioenergy, for example, is common in processing sectors that generate waste, from organic matter to agricultural waste. The conversion of biomass into energy is considered a low-carbon renewable technique and a strategic option for the production of “clean” energy. Different resources can be applied in the transformation of biomass into energy.This project aims to evaluate and simulate the thermochemical effect of different types of lignocellulosic biomass, especially sorghum. Using biomass as fuel, a simulation of an electricity generation system is being carried out, with the aid of the computer program Aspen Plus, where the fundamental principles of modeling include the 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics and equations of fluid mechanics.

 

The Rankine cycle (as you can see in the figure) is proposed and the energy balance for the process will be assessed using the Peng-Robinson and IAPWS-95 equation of state. In order to compare the feasibility of using biomass sorghum as a raw material for the production of electricity, an economic analysis will be carried out with the aid of Aspen plus and an excel spreadsheet. The results obtained in the present work are being validated with data obtained experimentally, such as the higher calorific value of the biomass components and the standard enthalpy of formation.

 

University: UFV

Author(s): Hidila Souza (master’s degree candidate, supervisor Fábio Rodrigues)

 

Department(s): Chemical Engineering

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