Thermodynamic study of syngas combustion in gas microturbines with regeneration composed with metallic and ceramic materials

The objective of this research is to carry out an energetic evaluation of syngas combustion in gas microturbines with regenerators made with two different types of material: metallic or ceramic. A modified chemical equilibrium model was used to calculate syngas composition obtained from sugarcane bagasse gasification in a fluidized bed gasifier using steam as gasifying agent. For the gas microturbines with a regenerator of metallic materials, combustion temperatures of 850, 900, and 950 °C were established; and for those with a regenerator of ceramic materials, combustion temperatures of 1150, 1250, and 1350 °C were established. The range for the compression ratio was 2 to 6, and the excess air percentages employed were 400, 500, and 600%. Excellent results were obtained: maximum power ratio was 1.87 kWh/Nm³, maximum cycle efficiency was 57%, and maximum regenerator effectiveness was 100%. Thus, syngas combustion performance in the gas microturbines with regeneration was excellent.