Modelling of Biomass Cogeneration Plant Efficiency

The paper presents the analysis of operation conditions of biomass cogeneration plant (CHP). The data set for analysis comprises the data measured on an hourly basis at the cogeneration plant in Jelgava. The volume of the data set is 467 modes. By means of statistical processing of the change in the plant's specific fuel consumption, by applying the methods of regression analysis, the most important factors describing the operation of the equipment or independent parameters were identified. The relationship between the change in the plant's specific fuel consumption and the parameters impacting it, is established by the regression equation obtained in data processing. According to the performed analysis: the change in the plant's specific fuel consumption is determined by the following four statistically important parameters: boiler efficiency; power generation efficiency; heat production efficiency indicators and outdoor temperature. The specific fuel consumption rate, calculated using regression equation, is compared to the specific fuel consumption rate observed in the CHP during operation. The assessment of the percentage difference shows that the specific fuel consumption rates calculated using the equation are useful in describing the plant data and can also be used to estimate future fuel consumption. It was observed that the rate difference is within the margins of 3.6 to 6.7 per cent.