Energy, Exergy and Environmentally Sustainable process analysis of Biomass Boilers using different Palm oil waste

This investigation examines the combustion of 13 distinct forms of Malaysian palm oil waste in boilers, focusing on energy efficiency and exergy efficiency analysis. Energy efficiency measures how well the combustion process converts the chemical energy of the biomass into usable heat energy. The study reveals an energy efficiency range from 68.58%–81.96%, with an average of 76.68%, indicating the variability in biomass performance. Exergy efficiency averages at 22.45%, with a range from 20.42%–23.75%, underscoring the need for further optimisation in energy transformation. A parameter study of different air fuel ratios (AFR) was also conducted. Additionally, boiler’s energy and exergyefficiency were compared to those reported in other studies, and the findings were consistent. The simulation results showed that the primary sources of energy loss due to irreversibility of the process in the boiler system are the combustion chamber, followed by the heat exchanger. Enhancing combustion processes and exploring advanced technologies could improve the sustainability of biomass energy systems, offering a pathway to reduce reliance on nonrenewable fuels and mitigate environmental impact.