Economic and life cycle assessment of an integrated biomass gasification combined cycle system

When life cycle assessment is performed in conjunction with a technoeconomic feasibility study, the total economic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of a process can be quantified. A biomass gasification combined-cycle power plant consisting of a low pressure indirectly-heated gasifier integrated with an industrial gas turbine was simulated using ASPEN Plus(R) and economic analyses were performed to determine the levelized cost of electricity. To complement this study, a life cycle assessment is being performed. The processes considered in the overall analysis consist of the production of biomass as a dedicated feedstock crop, its transportation to the power plant electricity generation, and all processes associated with intermediate feedstocks. The primary goal of this life cycle assessment is to reduce the environmental impact of the system through design improvements. For the purpose of this study, life cycle assessment is defined as a systematic method for identifying, evaluating, and minimizing the environmental impacts of emissions and resource depletion associated with this specific process. A discussion of the economics, efficiency, and methodology for assessing environmental benefits of power production from this biomass-based technology, are presented.