Biomass plant with ORC technology

Visit CHP plant in Cesano Boscone (Mi)

Cesano Boscone (Mi), November 27th, 2019 17-COM.P-6-rev.0

 The plant

• Plant Owner: Rinnova Green Energy S.r.l. Rinnova is an IPP (Independence Power
Producer) owning and operating CHP plants from wood biomass
• CHP (Combined Heat & Power)
• 1 MW el. + 4,5 MW th. (hot water @80 °C)
• Thermal power delivered to the local district heating network (houses heating)
• Fuel: woodchip https://rinnovagreenenergy.it/servizi/
• Started-up in 2011 https://www.rinnovaenergia.it/

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ORC Plant in a Process of Co-generation from Biomass

* Saturated steam or pressurized water can be used instead of thermal oil

Biomass fuels Heat Consumers

• District Heating networks
• Wood biomass: sawdust, woodchips, bark, treated wood
• Timber drying in sawmills
• Other biomass: dried sewage sludge, green cuttings, rice husks, • Saw dust drying in wood pellet factories
vinasse and vine cuttings, wood industry waste material etc … • MDF/PB Producers
• Other organic waste material • Air pre-heating in MDF industry
• Refrigeration (Tri-generation)
• Wine industry
• Greenhouses
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CHP (combined Heat & Power) by Turboden ORC technology - efficiency

CHP ORC energy efficiency greater than 80% Overall efficiency

FUEL
exhaust gas (~15%) 10 ÷ 20% Losses (exhaust gas)
El. power (20%)
ENERGY INPUT 16 ÷ 20% Electric power
100% 85% thermal oil
thermal power (80%) 78 ÷ 82% Thermal power CHP

ORC unit 2% Thermal losses

ORC CHP electrical efficiency 18 ÷ 22%

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 • FUEL HANDLING, STORAGE, AND PREPARATION
• COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGIES (Grate technology)
• BOILER TECNOLOGIES (THERMAL OIL)
• POWER CORE (ORC )
• HEAT DISSIPATION SYSTEM (wet cooling towers, dry air coolers)
• AIR TREATMENT SYSTEM (multicyclones, scrubbers, electrostatic precipitators,
baghouse filters)
• CHIMNEY
• ASH CONVEYORS

5 Source: Converting Biomass to Energy A Guide for Developers

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Turboden S.p.A. All – IFCreserved
rights 2017
 Technical – biomass power plant

1. Storage and
handling 5. Flue gas
treatment and 4. Water circuit
ash removal or dissipation

3. Heat transfer ORC

2. Combustion
boiler and circuit
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 ORC based biomass power plant

Main features:

- Thermal oil system based system (temp from 240 °C up to 310 °C)
- Small/medium sizes plants (from 500 kW up to 10 MW)
- Distributed generation (needs for biomass on site)
- Typically cogenartion mode (CHP) - small disctrict heating or wood industry sector (drying purpose)

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 Technical – biomass storage and handling

Storage Handling
Silos Moving floor
Bunker Hydraulic
Truck management Belt conveyor
Screw conveyor

Indicative supply chain cost Design

Transport 0.12$/km
Storage 11 $/t
Density
Loading 5 $/t Humidity
Dust
Other

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 Technical – biomass combustion

Combustion technology

Grate technology
- Travelling grate
- Vibrating grade
- Step grate

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 Technical – heat transfer boiler and circuit

Heat transfer Water/steam Thermal oil Direct exchange

Up to 80 bar and 450°C ORC working fluid

Up to 310°C
Features Water treatment
No vapor phase
evaporates with biomass
High cost material combustion exhausts

Explosive if oxygen content

Issues Licensed supervision 24/7 Flammability
>10% in the exhausts

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 ORC unit – TD 10 CHP

TURBODEN 1 MW el. layout

Admission and bypass

valves
ORC turbine
Condenser-Regenerator
El. generator

Preheater

Evaporator

Feed Pump

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 Technical – water circuit and dissipation system

Cooling Tower Air coolers

Open circuit: water in Close circuit: water not in

Features contact with ambient air contact with ambient air

Water treatment
Higher CAPEX and footprint
Water refill
Issues Higher OPEX
but easier operation &
maintenance

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 Technical – ash removal and flue gas system

Primary Measures Secondary Measures Ashes

Combustion Multycyclones Bottom ashes

Trade off between (Venturi) scubber

CO oxidation and
NOx formation (Urea)
Fly ashes
Electrostatic
Precipitator (ESP)

Baghouse filters

cyclone electrostatic precipitator Baghouse filter

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 Preliminary breakdown of the Capex

PM
2%
Civil, buildings
10%
ORC + ACC
25%
BOP
(biomass stocking and
preparation, etc.)
10%

Electric connection
10%

Combustion system
(furnace, fumes tratment,
thermal oil system, etc.)
43%

Preliminary/rough breakdown of the Capex. A case-to-case evaluation considering specific project features and
requirements is needed.

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