EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF A SMALL BIOMASS GASIFIER AND MICRO-CHP PLANT FOR AGRO-INDUSTRIAL FIRMS

Biomass is an alternative source to fossil fuels as proven by the increase of the primary energy production of 6.1% between 2012 and 2013. In European countries, the biomasses are 3.5% of renewable energy sources and they have a strategic role to reach the objective established by the European Directive 2009/28/CE. However, it is necessary to increase the use of renewable fuels, as syngas and biogas, to satisfy the objectives of the UE in the field of renewable energies and greenhouse gas emissions. The gasification and pyrolysis processes to produce syngas are promising technologies for a practical use of the biomass. In this context, gasification of biomass from agro-forestry activities is considered among the most effective sustainable technologies to recover waste that otherwise would be difficult to dispose. The micro-CHP electrical and thermal power were calculated through a balance of mass and energy based on an input-output model of the overall system. The results of this study demonstrated that it is possible to produce thermal and electrical energy for small agro-industries through the valorization of the residuals biomass deriving by their activities.