ASPEN Plus Simulation Study of Concentrated Solar Power and Biomass Gasification for co-Production of Power and Liquid Fuel

摘要

Concentrated solar power (CSP) as external energy input for biomass gasification can be regarded as an alternative process to convert solar energy into power or liquid fuel. In this study, ASPEN Plus was used to develop a simple model for CSP-assisted biomass gasification to produce synthetic gas (syngas). This was followed by an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) system for power production or Fischer Tropsch synthesis for liquid fuel production. The effect of operating temperature of the gasification system was studied to determine the optimum temperature. It was found that gasification temperature of about 800°C is good enough to achieve maximum energy efficiency. The peak net efficiency of the hybrid process is 45% higher than any hybrid options found in the literature: a solar to power efficiency of 58% is achieved. In terms of the liquid fuel production option, 17-18 kg of liquid fuel can be produced per GJ of solar energy injected into the process.