Analysis of cogeneration systems in sugar cane factories - Alternatives of steam and combined cycle power plants

The sugar cane industry represents one of the most important economic sectors in Brazil. It produces sugar and ethanol for the internal and external markets. Also, thermal and electric energy are produced for the own factory consumption, using sugar cane bagasse as fuel in cogeneration plants. Almost all the sugar cane factories in Brazil are self-sufficient in terms of energy supply and in the last few years some of them have been selling their surplus for the grid. The introduction of steam power plants operating at higher pressure and temperature levels or even Biomass Gasification Systems operating in combined cycles are new alternatives for increasing the efficiency of these systems. The purpose of this paper is to analyze different options of cogeneration systems in sugar cane factories in order to evaluate the possibilities of increasing electricity generation. The analysis of the power plant is performed together with the steam demand reduction of sugar production process once the two systems are interlinked.