Development of a novel renewable energy system integrated with biomass gasification combined cycle for cleaner production purposes

A new multigeneration system is proposed to utilize solar energy and biomass sources in a combined manner for cleaner production. The useful commodities of electricity, freshwater, cooling, ammonia and hydrogen are produced. A biomass based integrated gasification combined cycle system is used that is integrated with a solar tower thermal power plant. Also, the reverse osmosis entailing saline water treatment system is incorporated. Furthermore, a thermoelectric generator is deployed to generate power through the excess heat contained in the syngas produced. The developed system is analysed and assessed through thermodynamic analyses. The proposed system provides an increase in the overall efficiencies of renewable energy systems through new waste heat recovery approaches. The energy efficiency of the overall system is evaluated as 20.1% and the exergy efficiency of the overall system is determined to be 21.1%. However, the energy efficiency of the solar tower power plant is determined to be 14.7% and the exergy efficiency is found to be 15.6%. The hydrogen and ammonia production rates are 20 g/s and 79 g/s, respectively. A parametric analysis is carried out to assess the effects of varying operating conditions and system parameters on the system efficiencies. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.