A 10-MWe biomass power plant operates year round, combusting biomass having an a

Question

A 10-MWe biomass power plant operates year round, combusting biomass having an average HHV value of 20 MJ/kg (bone dry). The power plant is considering adding an algae open pond system that will convert photosynthetically, active radiation (PAR), water and renewable CO_2 emitted by the power plant to produce algae to displace biomass fuel to increase the power plant efficiency. Calculate the maximum theoretical thermodynamic energy conversion efficiency of photosynthesis. Assume that 1 mol of (CH_2O)n has a higher heating value of 468 kJ/mol, that it takes 8 photons to convert CO_2 and H_2O into 1 mol of (CH_2O)n, and that the mean energy of 1 mol of PAR photon is 217.4 kJ Calculate PAR energy in W/m_2 available given that the average solar insolation value at the power plant site on a horizontal surface is 250 W/m_2 and that the photosynthetically active radiation, PAR, can be assumed to correspond to 80% of the energy contained in the visible portion of the solar spectrum Calculate the algae produced in kg/m^2/day if 25% of the thermodynamic efficiency calculated in part (a) is achieved and the algae can be represented as glucose (CH_2O)_6 with a HHV of 15 MJ/kg If the power plant wants to increase the plant efficiency from 25% to 50% by combusting the resultant algae produced, calculate the area of the open ponds exposed to sunlight required

Explanation / Answer

(a) Efficiency=(468*100)/(8*217.4)=26.91%

468 KJ is the energy which is in the form of (CH2O)n. 8*217.4 KJ of energy is supplied through photon

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