The Pinch-method Applied on a Biomass Gasifier System

The scope of this study is to optimise the heat exchanger system in two down draft gasification systems and to compare them in terms of energy conversion efficiency and economy. In both cases the system consists of a thermal biomass gasifier followed by a gas cleaning unit and an IC engine with a power generator.

A computer model of the system has been developed. Application of the model in combination with the Pinch method has been used in optimising the internal heat exchanging system in each of the two gasification systems. Following an optimisation of a two-stage gasifier and an open core gasifier respectively, the study shows that the two-stage gasifier has the highest power conversion efficiency, and the open core gasifier has the highest heat conversion efficiency.

The economical comparison of the two gasification systems indicates that the two-stage gasifier is slightly more profitable.