Part-Load Performance Analysis of a Modular Biomass Boiler With a Combined Heat and Power Industrial Rankine Cycle and Supplementary sCO2 Brayton Cycle

Abstract The addition of a supplementary high-efficiency cycle integrated with an existing steam power cycle may increase energy efficiency and net generation. In this article, part-load performance and operation of a modular biomass boiler with an existing industrial Rankine steam heat and power cycle and supplementary supercritical CO2 (sCO2) Brayton cycle are analyzed. The aim is to leverage the high efficiency of the sCO2 cycle by retrofitting sCO2 heaters in the existing biomass boiler, increasing net power output and thermal efficiency. With nominal load performance previously investigated, understanding part-load performance and operation is vital to determining cycle feasibility. A quasi-steady-state one-dimensional thermofluid network model was used to simulate the integrated cycle performance for loads ranging from 100% to 60%. The model solves the mass, energy, momentum, and species balance equations, capturing detailed component characteristics. Two control methodologies are explored for the sCO2 Brayton cycle, namely inventory control and inventory control combined with throttling valve control. Inventory control is selected as the better-performing control strategy for load following, maintaining high thermal efficiency across partial loads. At 60% load, the sCO2 compressor operates near the pseudo-critical point, leading to a sharp decrease in sCO2 cycle capacity, which requires careful management of inventory control. Two sCO2 heater configurations are investigated, namely a single convective-dominant heater, and a dual heater configuration with a radiative and a convective heater. The single heater configuration is preferred to minimize adverse impacts on the Rankine cycle superheaters.