A novel thermodynamic analysis of biomass gasification operated cogeneration system for power, ejector cooling cycle integrated with ORC, and freshwater production: a future energy demand driver

Biomass cogeneration systems are widely used for sustainable energy production, integrating power generation with different processes. Thermodynamic analysis of such systems is crucial for optimizing efficiency and reducing energy losses. The proposed configuration outlined is a hybrid-integrated system for energy conversion, ejector cooling, and water desalination, using waste heat from a refrigerant turbine. This investigation impacts various important parameters on total exergy destruction, as well as the thermodynamic efficiencies, for a biomass gasification cogeneration system, using four different biomass feedstocks. Inter-correlation among process parameters and exergy output is validated by the Pearson coefficient correlation matrix. Further, the study on the first law and second law efficiencies of a biomass gasification cogeneration system by using different refrigerants (R113, R11, and R1233zd) is investigated. The cogeneration system's thermodynamic efficiencies are higher than the combined cycle for all the tested biomasses. Solid waste exhibits higher efficiencies (33.89-38.19%) in the combined cycle and (38.84-43.24%) in the cogeneration system, compared to sugarcane bagasse (27.84-33.37%) in the combined cycle and (31.83-36.44%) in the cogeneration system. On the other hand, sugarcane bagasse has the lowest efficiency (27.84-33.37%) in the combined cycle whereas (31.83-36.44%) in the cogeneration system for the remaining biomasses, respectively. Such hybrid systems are crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.