Exergy analysis and performance optimization of bagasse fired boiler

Abstract

In the present scenario, the energy crisis and its demand have become the global problems that restrict the sustainable development. To overcome this problem, one needs to develop an advanced technological system which not only improves the system performance but also reduces the environmental effects. Several technologies have been established among which cogeneration appeared to be the most lucrative option. India, one of the leading producers of sugarcane, has enough cogeneration capacity in sugar mills. From the previous research articles, energy analysis explores several components which account for the significant loss of energy in a cogeneration power plant but the analysis based on the second law depicts that maximum exergy destruction occurred in a boiler. Hence, to enhance the overall performance of the plant, we need to improve boiler performance. In the present study, the energy and exergy analyses of a sugarcane bagasse boiler are carried out, and it has been seen that the energy efficiency of the boiler is high enough (81.78%). However, the second law efficiency is 25.08%, the irreversibility rate associated with the combustion chamber is 50.06 MW is a significant value which shows that 45.56% of the input fuel exergy is destroyed in the combustion chamber only. The irreversibilities associated with the heat exchangers are also significant which has been investigated as 17.23% of the input exergy of the fuel. This shows that the combustion chamber and heat exchangers both have enough scope of improvement.