Abstract

CRUZ, M. Carolina et al. Increasing efficiency of high pressure bagasse boilers with a bagasse dryer. Rev. ind. agric. Tucumán [online]. 2013, vol.90, n.2, pp.7-16. ISSN 1851-3018.

A preliminary study of a system consisting of a 45.7 bar boiler, supplied with a bagasse dryer as heat recovery equipment, was conducted with the purpose of increasing the energy efficiency of high pressure bagasse boilers, and reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Two uses of the drying gas were considered: case 1: a percentage of the combustion gases which exit the boiler is derived to the bagasse dryer before entering the economizer; and case 2: the gases exiting the air preheater (ICQ) are driven to the dryer. Through tests and measurements of industrial materials and energy balances, operation conditions of the boiler without the dryer were determined (base case). On this basis and with additional calculations, operation conditions of systems supplied with the dryer were estimated. From an initial 52.94% moisture, results showed that in case 1, derivation of 26.80% of combustion gases to the dryer dried bagasse to a 47.42% water content, which resulted in a 11.50% efficiency increase and a 10.07% net fuel saving with respect to the base case, equivalent to 26,783,396 kg of bagasse/harvest. This represents a US$ 1,792,870/harvest saving. In case 2, bagasse with 50.00% moisture would be obtained, with a 11.10% system efficiency increase and a 7.51% net fuel saving in relation to the base case, which amounts to 19,978,784 kg of bagasse per harvest. This represents a US$ 1,337,372 saving per harvest. Applying either of the schemes (case 1 or 2) would lead to significant benefits.

Keywords : Measurements; Bagasse dryer; Energy efficiency; Fuel saving.

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