Experience from set-up and pilot operation of an in-house developed biomass-fired ORC microcogeneration unit

Autor: Zbynek Zeleny, Vaclav Vodicka, Jakub Mascuch, Vaclav Novotny, Jan Spale
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Renewable Energy. 165:251-260
ISSN: 0960-1481
DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.11.021
Popis: This paper provides an insight into the early commercial development and pilot operation of a 50 kW thermal and 2 kW electrical output biomass-fired microcogeneration (μCHP) ORC unit. The aim of this work is to share the experience and the field data from the pilot installation of this unit in a village where it provides the heat and electricity for municipality buildings. The transition from the laboratory unit into the commercial one are discussed. The μCHP ORC unit, though initially burdened by some issues, successfully operated in the first two heating seasons and reached the parameters of the laboratory twin unit. The unit was so far operated for over 3000 h, reaching total heat production of 125 MWh and gross electricity production of 2.34 MWh. The operational data from the first two heating seasons are presented along with issues (especially regarding expander reliability) and the development towards their mitigation. Economic considerations of investment into biomass μCHP ORC system are discussed. The different paradigm that authors adopted shows that economic performance cannot be the only parameter for investment evaluation, but the investor needs to assess additional benefits from the μCHP system while implementing the cost-benefit analysis.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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