Micro-Scale Biomass Polygeneration
The Department of Energy Technology at KTH, together with Universidad Mayor de San Simon Bolivia, are working in a SIDA funded joint project that is focused on the study of new micro-scale polygeneration technologies, Stirling engine and externally fired gas turbines, as potential solutions for Bolivia energy demands.
Rural communities in Bolivia are characterized for a lack of electricity-grid, heating systems and even potable water. Since it is very difficult to access the grid and furthermore the population density is low, it will not be economically profitable to extend the grid to these areas. In this context decentralized micro polygeneration appears to be the best solution to cover the energy needs.
The project is focused on the design and optimization of micro polygeneration systems fuelled with biomass that can provide heating/cooling and electricity for residential and industrial purposes.
The project main goal is to set up two micro polygeneration plants, one in Bolivia and the other as part of an overall biomass polygeneration system at KTH called Explore. The implementation of the biomass-based polygeneration plants will consider economical and environmental factors to find optimum solutions and since Bolivia is a large natural gas producer, the combined plant will also consider co-firing biomass and natural gas.
The specific objectives are:
- Develop modern combustion technologies for micro gas turbines and Stirling engines using the fuels available in Bolivia
- Analyze the main problems in the heat exchanger for externally fired gas turbines fed with biomass and suggest new solutions to overcome these limitations and improve the efficiency.
- Techno-economical and environmental optimization of CHP- plants from single-household up to village-size unit considering Stirling engines and micro turbines as prime mover technologies.
Period
2008-10-01 - 2013-10-30
Project Partners
- Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
- Universidad Mayor de San Simon (UMSS)
Project Lead
- Prof. Torsten Fransson (KTH)
- Dr. Lucio Alejo (UMSS)
Secondary supervisors
- Catharina Erlich (KTH)
- Marianne Salomon (KTH)
Researchers
- Evelyn Cardozo Rocabado
- Adhemar Araoz Ramos
- Fabiola Baina Veizaga
Funding
- SIDA-SAREC
- Division of Heat & Power Technology (KTH)
- Department of Chemistry (UMSS)
Keywords
Micro polygeneration, CHP, Stirling Engine, Externally Fired gas turbine, Biomass combustion, Bolivia.