DIT PhD Project
Supervisor names & contact details:
Name: Prof. David Kennedy /
Email david.kennedy@dit.ie
Supervisors Profile:
Research Centre:
The Dublin Energy Lab is a leading energy related
research and development laboratory which
conducts research across a range of disciplines
with key efforts organised into themes of electrical
power; energy policy; solar energy; zero emissions
buildings; energy demand analysis and forecasting;
life cycle assessment.
Research Centre website:
dublinenergylab.dit.ie
Supervisors Publications List:
www.dit.ie/library/ditlibrarycentralservices/arrow
Title of the Project: Modelling and Simulation of BIGCC CHP
Project Summary: In order to reduce its dependence on hydropower, as well as increase
electricity supply, Brazil is increasingly turning to renewable fuels such as biomass1. Most
biomass CHP is based on sugarcane bagasse.
Traditionally bagasse is combusted and subsequently used for the production of electricity (and
heat) often at very low thermal efficiencies. However, an emerging technology in the treatment
of bagasse, allows the production of synthetic-gases and an increase in thermal efficiency. This
technology, known as ‘gasification’ occurs when oxygen in the form of air / steam is reacted at
high temperatures with available carbon in bagasse to produce a synthetic-gas. Partial
combustion occurs to produce heat and the reaction is exothermic. The synthetic-gas produced
can be combusted in a heat engine / gas turbine to generate electricity and process heat.
The primary objective of this research is the development of a process simulation model for
bagasse gasification. This broad objective includes a literature review, making definitions, and
then developing algorithms and analyses for bagasse gasification. In addition, engineering
economics be performed for the final plant design.
The underlying goals of the project are to develop a model which is accurate, sensitive to data
1
Sugarcane Bagasse for Power Generation in Brazilian Markets, Frost and Sullivan,
input, fully calibrated and validated, incorporates a known level of confidence and completed
both on time and within budget.
Contribution to Knowledge of Discipline Area:
There is a lack of research and reporting on bagasse gasification, which makes it difficult to design
plants. Consequently, the model will supply theoretical and practical guidance for the technical
application and commercialisation of bagasse gasification in Brazil. The project will also establish
the current capabilities and limitations of state-of-the-art process simulation and its relevance in
a modern engineering design environment.
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Renewable Energy