Thermodynamic efficiency of water consumption and production in biomass thermochemical conversion processes
The paper proposes a new efficiency criterion for biofuel thermochemical conversion processes: water production efficiency, which is equal to the ratio of the output and input water flows (in the form of fuel moisture and water vapor). Due to water formation from organic mass of biofuel, the water production efficiency may be higher than 100%. Using a thermodynamic model, the limits of water production efficiency are estimated under different stoichiometric conditions of steam-air gasification of biomass. It is shown that water yield (ranging from 50% for pyrolysis to 500% for full combustion) and energy efficiency (defined as cold gas efficiency, ranging from 0% for full combustion to 90% for pure steam gasification) contradict each other, so a compromise is needed when considering both criteria. An increase in the specific air consumption and a decrease in the specific steam consumption contribute to an increase in water production efficiency. At full combustion conditions, water production efficiency achieves stoichiometric limit and does not depend on other parameters. The calculated results allow determining the optimal conditions for carrying out thermochemical conversion processes with the multi-purpose use of biofuels. © 2026 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Библиографическая ссылка Donskoi I.G., Silva Lora E.E. Thermodynamic efficiency of water consumption and production in biomass thermochemical conversion processes // BIOFUELS - UK. Vol.17. No.7. 2026. P.1517-1530. DOI: 10.1080/17597269.2026.2626603
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