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Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analyses of biomass heating systems for rural households: A case study in Northeastern China

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  • Deng, Yun
  • Peng, Jiawei
  • Ran, Xueling
  • Dong, Renjie
  • Zhou, Yuguang

Abstract

Modern biomass boiler for domestic heating can significantly mitigate the adverse impacts of coal-fired heating on air pollution and climate change. This study conducts a comprehensive investigation of biomass heating systems, using energy, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analyses. The assessment spans the entire process, from biomass collection to the residence envelope, focusing on three representative heating systems in rural China: briquette kang-linked boiler (BKLB), pellet fuel boiler (PFB), and baled straw directly combustion boiler (BSDCB) systems. The results revealed that BKLB heating system has the best performance in terms of energy efficiency (58.70 %), exergy efficiency (2.56 %), exergoeconomic factor (28.22 %), greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy and exergy (0.15 and 3.36 kg CO2e/MJ), and unit cost of products (UCP, 1.69 CNY/MJ). Notably, exergy destruction in the boiler is markedly surpasses that of other sectors. Internal exergy destruction caused by combustion and heat transfer comprises over 50 % of the total exergy input in each system, accounting for over 80 % of the total exergy input in each heating boiler. External exergy destruction, such as exhaust gas heat loss (mainly energy loss for BSDCB) and surface radiation heat loss (mainly energy loss for BKLB and PFB), contribute less than 6.5 %. The cost-effectiveness of biomass heating systems is improved under an energy transition scenario. As electricity costs decline from 0.6 to 0.2 CNY/kWh, the UCP of BKLB, PFB, and BSDCB systems decreases by 14.79 %, 16.99 %, and 20.24 %, respectively. This study provides valuable insights into improving the energy and exergy efficiency of biomass heating systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Deng, Yun & Peng, Jiawei & Ran, Xueling & Dong, Renjie & Zhou, Yuguang, 2025. "Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental analyses of biomass heating systems for rural households: A case study in Northeastern China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:333:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225031408
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137498
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