Specific Biomass Consumption for Electricity Generation in a Wood Biomass Cogeneration Plant: Influence of Thermal Load and Fuel Moisture Based on Long-Term Operating Data

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Abstract

Biomass cogeneration plants supplying district heating systems operate under variable thermal loads, which affect the fuel consumption attributable to electricity generation. This paper analyzes the net specific biomass consumption allocated to electricity generation in a wood biomass cogeneration plant in Suceava, Romania, with four 30 t/h steam boilers and a 29.65 MWe steam turbine. Six years of monthly operating data were used to assess the influence of the heat delivered to the district heating system and the biomass moisture content. The thermal load was the main influencing factor, since at low heat demand more steam is condensed without heat recovery. In winter months, with 1500–2500 toe of heat delivered monthly, the specific consumption ranged between 2.0 and 3.5 toe biomass/toe electricity (average ≈2.5), whereas in summer months, with 500–1500 toe delivered monthly, it ranged between 3.0 and 5.0 toe biomass/toe electricity (average ≈4.0). Biomass moisture content (30–45%) had a secondary influence. An empirical equation is proposed for the accepted limit of the annual average specific biomass consumption as a function of the average monthly thermal load, corrected by a moisture impact factor. The equation supports assessing the energy and economic efficiency of electricity generation in such plants

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