Power generation from biomass based renewable energy technologies is a promising option in retrofitting our dependence in conventional power generation processes. The development of any society is not possible without sustainable energy and access to energy creates that environment that allows the world to thrive. Electricity access especially in developing regions of the world is of particular interest. This work provides results on electricity efficiency, the economic feasibility and environmental impact of biomass based power technologies in small scale setting using Aspen Plus software. The power generation processes analysed on standalone basis include - micro gas turbine, gas turbine, steam turbine, Stirling engine and internal combustion engine. Some of the processes are optimized in the design to suit the specific climate and available wood waste stream in Nigeria is considered in this work. Simulation results indicate that gas engines power technologies gave a better electric performance of more than 30% with its integration with biomass gasification technology in production of fuel gas. The stirling engine power technology shows a good prospect despite its yet to be commercial status. The modification of the engine (removal regenerator) gives a better electric efficiency. Also result shows that internal combustion engine process emits more of nitric oxides compared to other technologies which create doubts over its environmental compatibility. Economic studies show that for small scale power generation, internal combustion engines and stirling engines are economic feasible. Also, steam turbine and gas turbine illustrate why they are mostly applied in medium/large scale biomass power generation specially recommended to regions where more biomass resource are produced. The micro gas turbine power technology can also be applied in small scale despite its high total investment capital. Furthermore, the study shows that about from 1.8 million tonnes per year of saw dust (wood waste) produced from lumber industries in Nigeria, about 1.3 TWh of electricity can be generated from 1000 MW power plant. Power generation via the utilization of biomass prove to be a possible path to Nigeria’s economic, social and environmental sustainability but the extent to which this can achieved is strongly dependent institutional framework, investment, incentives and information policies. / Program: Masterutbildning i energi- och materialåtervinning
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hb-17969 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Godswill, Uchechukwu Megwai |
| Publisher | Högskolan i Borås, Institutionen Ingenjörshögskolan, University of Borås/School of Engineering |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
| Relation | Masteruppsats, |
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