Modelling of Commercial Biomass-fired ORC System Using EBSILON Professional (TM) Software

orc2019 Tracking Number 6

This paper demonstrates the use of the commercial software Ebsilon ProfessionalTM for modelling and diagnostics of an industrial scale biomass-fired cogeneration system with ORC technology. The software is an object oriented simulator of thermodynamic systems in steady state conditions. It is capable of modelling of complex energy conversion systems under design and off-design conditions (i.e. under nominal and partial load). The model consists of a system of individual components. The model equations describe individual thermodynamic processes as well as mass and energy balances. Each component is additionally described with relevant equations of built-in operational characteristics, which can be modified by the user. Detailed model of the real plant in Krosno (Poland) with the Turboden T14 CHP Split ORC unit and the VAS biomass boiler is built. All stages of the model development are presented as well as functionality of the model is discussed. The model comprises biomass combustion system, thermal oil circuit and the ORC process. It is calibrated with the plant measurement data obtained from the SCADA system. Then the analysis of plant’s performance under variable operational conditions such as biomass humidity, thermal oil temperature, network water temperature, etc. is performed. The results reveal off-design characteristics of the system that is represented by power output, heat to power ratio, power generation efficiency and overall efficiency. Finally there is presented an example of using the model for sizing of a heat storage vessel.