Thermo-Mechanical Analysis And Optimization Of Biomass-Fueled Micro Gas Turbines For Decentralized Renewable Energy Generation

Abstract

It is seen that, biomass-fueled micro gas turbines (MGTs) represent a form of promise and have received attention in response to the growing global expectation of decentralized, sustainable energy systems to provide a scenario where biomass-fueled MGTs can become an effective solution to renewable power aimed at rural and off-grid applications. This paper explores the thermo mechanical performance and cycle, optimization techniques of MGTs that use biomass derived syngas and bio-oils but focuses on thermal stress, fatigue assessment of components and the efficiency of the cycle. This study compares combustor temperatures, turbine blade stress behaviour, and heat transfer plots with different biomass compositions and loads. It simulates these temperatures, stresses and heat transfer plots using a hybrid simulation model that uses all three current simulation methods including; Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and exergy-based optimization models. The results of an experimental implementation on a CFD-based design, comparing the performances of a 30 kW microturbine prototype with preheated biomass fuel and optimized blade cooling schemes confirmed that an increase in thermal efficiency (18%) was attained due to preheated biomass fuel and that the stress concentrations of the optimized blade cooling schemes varied by 25%. Moreover, it was found that thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) and the choice of resistance to the creep had a strong positive effect on the length of service. The paper points out the paramount importance of combined thermal and mechanical modeling to efficient performance of MGT and the further development of decentralized renewal energy by utilizing low-emission, bio-based energy solutions.