IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v323y2025ics0360544225014458.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Performance analysis of a novel biomass thermochemical conversion cascade utilization system driven by concentrated solar energy

Author

Listed:
  • Yang, Xiaoxia
  • Zhong, Dian
  • Zeng, Kuo
  • Li, Jun
  • Chen, Xin
  • Yang, Haiping
  • Chen, Hanping

Abstract

The utilization of complementary energy sources is an effective approach to addressing the existing technological constraints associated with renewable energy. A novel system is proposed that hybrid several thermochemical process. The temperature of the heat transfer fluid is matched to the thermochemical reaction conditions to make cascade use of energy. The system can generate 60 MW of electricity, and the bio-oil output reaches 7500 kg/h and the bio-char output reaches 2500 kg/h during the time period of better radiation conditions. Thermodynamic assessments indicate that the proposed novel system exhibits higher energy efficiency as 42.01 %, which is about 5 %–12 % higher than solar driven biomass gasification system. And the exergy efficiency of the novel system is 35.61 %, which is about 4 %–11 % higher than solar driven biomass gasification system. Additionally, the system exhibits good economic performance and superior environmental performance with a dynamic payback period of 7.8 years. CO2 emissions from the operation and maintenance process is 77.30 %, which accounts for the largest share of the overall emissions.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Xiaoxia & Zhong, Dian & Zeng, Kuo & Li, Jun & Chen, Xin & Yang, Haiping & Chen, Hanping, 2025. "Performance analysis of a novel biomass thermochemical conversion cascade utilization system driven by concentrated solar energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:323:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225014458
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135803
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225014458
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.135803?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gao, Ying & Wang, Xianhua & Chen, Yingquan & Li, Pan & Liu, Huihui & Chen, Hanping, 2017. "Pyrolysis of rapeseed stalk: Influence of temperature on product characteristics and economic costs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 482-491.
    2. Wang, Gang & Zhang, Zhen & Lin, Jianqing, 2024. "Multi-energy complementary power systems based on solar energy: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    3. Ayman Abdul Karim Alhijazi & Radwan A. Almasri & Ahmad Firas Alloush, 2023. "A Hybrid Renewable Energy (Solar/Wind/Biomass) and Multi-Use System Principles, Types, and Applications: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-24, December.
    4. He, Gang & Kammen, Daniel M., 2016. "Where, when and how much solar is available? A provincial-scale solar resource assessment for China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 74-82.
    5. Janajreh, Isam & Adeyemi, Idowu & Raza, Syed Shabbar & Ghenai, Chaouki, 2021. "A review of recent developments and future prospects in gasification systems and their modeling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    6. Bai, Zhang & Liu, Qibin & Lei, Jing & Hong, Hui & Jin, Hongguang, 2017. "New solar-biomass power generation system integrated a two-stage gasifier," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 310-319.
    7. Chen, Heng & Xue, Kai & Wu, Yunyun & Xu, Gang & Jin, Xin & Liu, Wenyi, 2021. "Thermodynamic and economic analyses of a solar-aided biomass-fired combined heat and power system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    8. Adnan, Muhammad & Zaman, Muhammad & Ullah, Atta & Gungor, Afsin & Rizwan, Muhammad & Raza Naqvi, Salman, 2022. "Thermo-economic analysis of integrated gasification combined cycle co-generation system hybridized with concentrated solar power tower," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 654-666.
    9. Szargut, Jan, 1989. "Chemical exergies of the elements," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 269-286.
    10. Guo, Yongpeng & Chen, Jing & Song, Hualong & Zheng, Ke & Wang, Jian & Wang, Hongsheng & Kong, Hui, 2024. "A review of solar thermochemical cycles for fuel production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    11. Ye, Chao & Wang, Qinhui & Zheng, Youqu & Li, Guoneng & Zhang, Zhiguo & Luo, Zhongyang, 2019. "Techno-economic analysis of methanol and electricity poly-generation system based on coal partial gasification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 624-632.
    12. Li, Xiaoya & Xu, Bin & Tian, Hua & Shu, Gequn, 2021. "Towards a novel holistic design of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems operating under heat source fluctuations and intermittency," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    13. Mohamed, Usama & Zhao, Yingjie & Huang, Yi & Cui, Yang & Shi, Lijuan & Li, Congming & Pourkashanian, Mohamed & Wei, Guoqiang & Yi, Qun & Nimmo, William, 2020. "Sustainability evaluation of biomass direct gasification using chemical looping technology for power generation with and w/o CO2 capture," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    14. Wang, Jiangjiang & Han, Zepeng & Guan, Zhimin, 2020. "Hybrid solar-assisted combined cooling, heating, and power systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    15. Li, Beiyang & Xu, Huaqian & Lu, Yongwen & Zuo, Hongyang & Zeng, Kuo & Chi, Bowen & Chen, Xin & Yang, Haiping & Chen, Hanping, 2025. "Optimized field synergy analysis strategy for heat transfer mechanism in latent heat storage: Based on the front-tracking algorithm and the segmentation thinking," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    16. Shahbeik, Hossein & Kazemi Shariat Panahi, Hamed & Dehhaghi, Mona & Guillemin, Gilles J. & Fallahi, Alireza & Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, Homa & Amiri, Hamid & Rehan, Mohammad & Raikwar, Deepak & Latine, , 2024. "Biomass to biofuels using hydrothermal liquefaction: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    17. Li, Yaowang & Yang, Xuxin & Du, Ershun & Liu, Yuliang & Zhang, Shixu & Yang, Chen & Zhang, Ning & Liu, Chang, 2024. "A review on carbon emission accounting approaches for the electricity power industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    18. Kargbo, Hannah & Harris, Jonathan Stuart & Phan, Anh N., 2021. "“Drop-in” fuel production from biomass: Critical review on techno-economic feasibility and sustainability," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    19. Mohammadi, Kasra & Khanmohammadi, Saber & Khorasanizadeh, Hossein & Powell, Kody, 2020. "A comprehensive review of solar only and hybrid solar driven multigeneration systems: Classifications, benefits, design and prospective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).
    20. Jie, Pengfei & Zhao, Wanyue & Yan, Fuchun & Man, Xiaoxin & Liu, Chunhua, 2022. "Economic, energetic and environmental optimization of hybrid biomass gasification-based combined cooling, heating and power system based on an improved operating strategy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    21. Sobek, Szymon & Werle, Sebastian, 2020. "Solar pyrolysis of waste biomass: Part 2 kinetic modeling and methodology of the determination of the kinetic parameters for solar pyrolysis of sewage sludge," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 962-974.
    22. Li, Jing & Lu, Tianguang & Yi, Xinning & Hao, Ran & Ai, Qian & Guo, Yu & An, Molin & Wang, Shaorui & He, Xueqian & Li, Yixiao, 2024. "Concentrated solar power for a reliable expansion of energy systems with high renewable penetration considering seasonal balance," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    23. Zhong, Dian & Zeng, Kuo & Li, Jun & Yang, Xinyi & Song, Yang & Zhu, Youjian & Flamant, Gilles & Nzihou, Ange & Yang, Haiping & Chen, Hanping, 2021. "3E analysis of a biomass-to-liquids production system based on solar gasification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    24. Feng, Ye & Chen, Jinglong & Luo, Ji, 2024. "Life cycle cost analysis of power generation from underground coal gasification with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to measure the economic feasibility," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    25. Fang, Yi & Paul, Manosh C. & Varjani, Sunita & Li, Xian & Park, Young-Kwon & You, Siming, 2021. "Concentrated solar thermochemical gasification of biomass: Principles, applications, and development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tariq, Shahzeb & Safder, Usman & Yoo, ChangKyoo, 2022. "Exergy-based weighted optimization and smart decision-making for renewable energy systems considering economics, reliability, risk, and environmental assessments," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    2. Ren, Fukang & Wei, Ziqing & Zhai, Xiaoqiang, 2022. "A review on the integration and optimization of distributed energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    3. Bai, Zhang & Gu, Yucheng & Wang, Shuoshuo & Jiang, Tieliu & Kong, Debin & Li, Qi, 2023. "Applying the solar solid particles as heat carrier to enhance the solar-driven biomass gasification with dynamic operation power generation performance analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 351(C).
    4. Wu, Zhicong & Xu, Gang & Huang, Ziqi & Ge, Shiyu & Chen, Heng, 2024. "An efficient carbon-neutral power and methanol polygeneration system based on biomass decarbonization and CO2 hydrogenation: Thermodynamic and economic analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    5. Ahmed, Shoaib & Li, Tie & Zhou, Xin Yi & Yi, Ping & Chen, Run, 2025. "Quantifying the environmental footprints of biofuels for sustainable passenger ship operations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    6. Yi, Xinning & Lu, Tianguang & Li, Yixiao & Ai, Qian & Hao, Ran, 2025. "Collaborative planning of multi-energy systems integrating complete hydrogen energy chain," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    7. Stanek, Wojciech & Czarnowska, Lucyna, 2018. "Thermo-ecological cost – Szargut's proposal on exergy and ecology connection," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PB), pages 1050-1059.
    8. Zhou, Yuan & Wang, Jiangjiang & Dong, Fuxiang & Qin, Yanbo & Ma, Zherui & Ma, Yanpeng & Li, Jianqiang, 2021. "Novel flexibility evaluation of hybrid combined cooling, heating and power system with an improved operation strategy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    9. Liu, Hailiang & Andresen, Gorm Bruun & Greiner, Martin, 2018. "Cost-optimal design of a simplified highly renewable Chinese electricity network," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 534-546.
    10. Giulio Allesina & Simone Pedrazzi, 2021. "Barriers to Success: A Technical Review on the Limits and Possible Future Roles of Small Scale Gasifiers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-23, October.
    11. Chen, Qian & Burhan, Muhammad & Akhtar, Faheem Hassan & Ybyraiymkul, Doskhan & Shahzad, Muhammad Wakil & Li, Yong & Ng, Kim Choon, 2021. "A decentralized water/electricity cogeneration system integrating concentrated photovoltaic/thermal collectors and vacuum multi-effect membrane distillation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    12. Shangfeng Han & Baosheng Zhang & Xiaoyang Sun & Song Han & Mikael Höök, 2017. "China’s Energy Transition in the Power and Transport Sectors from a Substitution Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-25, April.
    13. Ping, Xu & Yang, Fubin & Zhang, Hongguang & Xing, Chengda & Zhang, Wujie & Wang, Yan & Yao, Baofeng, 2023. "Dynamic response assessment and multi-objective optimization of organic Rankine cycle (ORC) under vehicle driving cycle conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    14. Arkadiusz Dyjakon & Tomasz Noszczyk, 2019. "The Influence of Freezing Temperature Storage on the Mechanical Durability of Commercial Pellets from Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-13, July.
    15. Hao, Xiaoqing & An, Haizhong & Qi, Hai & Gao, Xiangyun, 2016. "Evolution of the exergy flow network embodied in the global fossil energy trade: Based on complex network," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1515-1522.
    16. Tan, Qinliang & Han, Jian & Liu, Yuan, 2023. "Examining the synergistic diffusion process of carbon capture and renewable energy generation technologies under market environment: A multi-agent simulation analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    17. Liang, Zheng & Liang, Yingzong & Luo, Xianglong & Yu, Zhibin & Chen, Jianyong & Chen, Ying, 2024. "Multi-objective optimization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell based methanol-solar-to-X hybrid energy systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 373(C).
    18. Chen, G.Q. & Qi, Z.H., 2007. "Systems account of societal exergy utilization: China 2003," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 208(2), pages 102-118.
    19. Wang, Qing & Li, Meng & Wang, Zhenxia, 2025. "Efficient power generation through combined modified organic flash and dual-pressure organic rankine cycles: A comprehensive analysis from thermodynamic, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental perspe," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    20. Yousef, Samy & Eimontas, Justas & Striūgas, Nerijus & Abdelnaby, Mohammed Ali, 2022. "Gasification kinetics of char derived from metallised food packaging plastics waste pyrolysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:323:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225014458. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.