Thermodynamic analysis of plasma gasification of bagazo de caña

Abstract

Thermal plasma gasification can be one of the most relevant and environmentally friendly technologies for the treatment of waste and has gained interest for its use in the biomass thermalconversion. In this perspective, the aim of this study is to evaluate the gasification of sugar cane bagasse by studying the effective areas of operation of this process and to establish a comparison with conventional autothermal gasification. A thermochemical equilibrium model was used to calculate the indicators that characterize the performance of the process by itself and in integration with a combined cycle. As a result, plasma gasification of the bagasse was technically feasible for the specific net electric production of 4 MJ with 30 % electrical efficiency, producing a gas with a higher calorific value than the autothermal gasification. The points of operation were determined where the production of electric energy and the efficiency of the cold gas reach their highest value; the effects of the operational parameters on these performance indicators were then analyzed.