Integration of Biomass Indirect Dryers into Energy Systems

Abstract

The present article presents the energy efficient concept of biomass indirect drying. The options for the integration of indirect biomass drying into the cycles of steam power plants and hot water heating plants were analyzed. New concepts of wet biomass utilization in energy systems with an integrated indirect biomass dryer and the utilization of latent heat of waste vapor released during drying were proposed. Prototypes of the dryer and the waste vapor condenser were designed and the feasibility of the proposed solution was experimentally verified. Drying characteristics and energy consumption were determined. The potential for recuperating the waste vapor heat was analyzed. In comparison with other drying methods, the designed solutions are energy efficient and effectively utilize the waste steam heat. The profitability of the proposed solution is apparent from the increase in the cycle efficiency in comparison with the case without drying. Integration of drying into energy cycles makes it possible to achieve higher energy efficiency of the systems and significant fuel savings, and to replace high quality biomass with low-grade moist forms.