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This paper investigates the feasibility of using an advanced, high -temperature air-blown gasifier to convert willow biomass crops into a fuel gas that could be utilized for farm -based power production. The fuel gas can be used for generating electricity, using microturbines modified to operate on low-BTU gas, or for other energy needs. Willow biomass was found to make an excellent gasifier fuel and the predicted net gasification efficiency is about 85 percent. The capital cost for a small, farm -based power system, suitable for a 106-ha sized farm, is estimated to be about $2,800/kW and the cost -of-electricity to be about 7.2 to 9 cents per kWh. The costs associated with harvesting, handling, and transporting of the willow biomass account for over 40 to 50 percent of the annual operating cost. Analysis also showed that adopting a method to cogasify willow with various amount of low -cost wastes, such as manure, can be an excellent way to reduce the fuel cost, to increase the overall fuel availability and help work around problems resulting from seasonal availability of willow biomass. Cogasification of dairy farm wastes along with willow also offers an economical way to disp ose of the wastes and to remove the nutrient from the dairy farm. The power generated from the animal waste can be used on the farm or sold to offset the cost of waste treatment. |
