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Integration of a thermochemical energy system driven by solar energy and biomass for natural gas and power production

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Abstract

Energy systems with multi-energy product outputs driven by renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly popular. To satisfy the diversification of energy use forms in China, this study proposes a new thermochemical energy system driven by solar energy and biomass for natural gas and power production. In this system, syngas from solar-driven biomass gasification is used to synthesize natural gas, whereas the unreacted syngas is burned directly in a combined cycle for power generation. To adjust the production capacity of the system, a shift reaction was used to change the H2/CO ratio in the syngas. The biomass gasification model was experimentally verified, and the thermodynamic performance of the system was studied numerically. The results showed that the production rate of natural gas, with a heat value of 714.88 kJ/mol, was approximately 0.306 m3−SNG/kg−bio and the primary energy efficiency was 47%. The new system showed a good energy-saving potential of 15.29%. Parametric analysis indicated that an increase in the gasification temperature led to a reduction in the natural gas production and an increase in the power output of the system, with a maximum energy efficiency of 66.72% at gasification temperature of 1050°C. With an increase in the syngas share entering the transfer reactor, the natural gas production rate and energy efficiency of the system were improved with an optimum share of approximately 0.55, thereby facilitating the development and optimization of operation strategies. This study provides a promising way to increase the share of renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bei**g Engineering Research Center of Sustainable Energy and Buildings, Bei**g University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Bei**g, 100044, China

    HaiFeng Wu, BoWen Zhang & Rongji Xu

  2. Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Distributed Energy Systems, School of Chemical Engineering and Energy Technology, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan, 523808, China

    WanJun Qu

  3. Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bei**g, 100190, China

    HaiFeng Wu & QiBin Liu

  4. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Bei**g, 100049, China

    QiBin Liu

Authors
  1. HaiFeng Wu
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  2. BoWen Zhang
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  3. WanJun Qu
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  4. Rongji Xu
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  5. QiBin Liu
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Correspondence to QiBin Liu.

Additional information

This work was supported by the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52090061), the Bei**g University of Civil Engineering and Architecture Scientific Research Ability Improvement Plan of Young Teachers (Grant No. Z21045), and the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Distributed Energy Systems (Grant No. 2020B1212060075).

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Wu, H., Zhang, B., Qu, W. et al. Integration of a thermochemical energy system driven by solar energy and biomass for natural gas and power production. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 65, 1383–1395 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-021-2002-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-021-2002-3

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