Design and Modeling Optimization of Superheated Micro Steam Power Plant

A PKS-fired 5-10 kW micro power plant has been designed, modeled and simulated to produce superheated steam for domestic and SMEs consumption. The target is to sustain power output at optimal design parameters. Design, modeling and simulation analyses of plant’s components were carried and then integrated to a unit micro power plant. These analyses were done to enhance the efficiency of whole power plant through reduction of heat losses and optimal sizing of components. Modeling results indicated that running the plants at the lowest possible temperatures (pressures) of 235 oC (0.35 MPa) and 235 oC (0.35 MPa) would be sufficient to enhance safety with acceptable steam mass flow rates (0.00357 kg/s, 0.00178) and steam flow velocities (14.87 m/s, 7.43 m/s). Design results showed that angular mild steel of diameter ranging 5 -10 mm were adequate for the plant stand. Simulation results revealed that the designed parameters (stress, strain, deflection, and thermal resistance) were within the acceptable standards, this portrayed design adequacy. Designed temperature of 0- 400oC was within the acceptable range and far from maximum tolerable material temperature of 1200oC. Heat flux (2.31 W/mm2) obtained from the design was conveniently within the simulated range, which shows that the design is workable. Improvement efficiency of 12% was obtained as compared to past micro plant design; this is a remarkable achievement.

Micro steam plant, PKS, Optimal design parameters, Safety

1. Adeline, Rand Juan, A. (2012): Numerical Characterization of the aerodynamic in fixed grate biomass burners. Computer and Fluid, Vol. 45-53. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Adewumi I. K. and M. O. Ogedengbe (2025): Optimizing Conditions for Activated Charcoal Production from Palm Kernel Shells.J of Applied Sciences. Vol. 5, 2005 pp 1082-1087 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Aho, M. (2001): Reduction of chlorine deposition in FB boiler with aluminum containing additives. Fuel, 880, pp. 1943-1951 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Ajayi, A (2007): Nigeria energy challenge and power development: The way forward, Bulletin of Science Association of Nigeria Vol 28. Pp 1-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Astrom, K.J. and Bell, R.D. (2000): Drum-boiler dynamic Automatica Vol.36, pp.363-378 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Awosope, C. O. and Okoye, C. U. (2003): "Rural Electrification: Emerging Technical Considerations for Sustainability in a Developing Economy" , Proceeding of the Nineteenth Annual National Conference of Nigerian society of Engineers (Electrical Division), Lagos. Oct 2-3, pp 25-30 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Binstock, D. Yeager, P. and Grohse, G. (1989):.Validation of a method for determining element in solid waste. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Ekpo. E. (2005): 'Hydro potential and Development plans in Nigeria. Hydropower and Dams Journal, Volume twelve, Issue 6, pp 58-62. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Ekpo. E. (2012): ' Hydropotential and Development plans in Nigeria" The Water Engineer Newsletter of the Water Division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers December 2012, Vol 1, Issue 2, pp 5-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Elefe S. K., Kareem B., Ayodeji O. (2024). Performance Enhancement of a Failed Steam Generator, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS), IX(VIII), DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Husain, Z., Z. Zaine and Z. Abdullah, (2002). Briquetting of Palm fibre and shell from processing of palm nuts to palm oil. Biomass Bio-energy Vol. 22, pp 505 – 509 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Izar, S.O. Ohimain, E and Angaye, T. (2016): Potential Thermal Energy from Palm Oil processing Solid wastes in Nigeri: mills Consumption and Surplus Quantification. BritishJournal of renewable Energy, 01(01), 39-45 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Jekayinfa, S.O. and Bamgboye,A. I.(2008): Energy use analysis of selected palm- kernel oil mills in south western Nigeria. Energy, Vol. 33, pp. 81-90 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Joller, M., Brunner T., Obernberger, I., (2007): Modelling of Aerosol Formation during Biomass Combustion for Various Furnace Type. FuelProcessingTechnol, Vol.88, 1136-47. Journal of physics, series 1007, pp.1-6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Kareem B. and Babatunde D. D. (2018). Optimization of Energy Content of Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) Using Modelling Approach, International Journal of Advance Industrial Engineering, 6, 111-117. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Kareem B., Ewetumo T., Adeyeri M. K. and Oyetunji A. (2018a). Design of Steam Turbine for Electric Power Production using Heat Energy from Palm Kernel Shell, Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 06(11), 111-125. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Kareem B., Ewetumo T., Adeyeri M. K., Oyetunji A., Olowookere S. T. (2018b). Development of Electricity Generating System for a Micro Power Plant, Journal of production engineering, 21(2), 43-50. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Kareem B., Oladosu K. O., Alade A. O., Durowoju M. O. (2018c). Optimization of Combustion Characteristics of Palm-Kernel Based Biofuel for Grate Furnace, International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering, 9, 457-472. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Khullar, C. (1995): The use of “combustion additives” to improve heat transfer and reduce combustion emissions in package boilers. In proceedings of the second international conference on combustion and emission control. London, UK: Institute of Energy pp.168-77 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Makoju,1. O. (2003) "Quantifying the Electricity Supply Gap A Simplistic Treatment" Proceeding of the Nineteenth Annual National Conference of Nigerian Society of Engineers (Electrical Division), Lagos. Oct 2-3, pp 1- [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Marrow, (2005): Renewable fuel grate firing combustion technology- The European Experience. Available from http://www.gov/doer/rps/mor_rpt.pdf. (Accessed 10 June, 2014) [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. MNNA, (2001): Long term benefit oil palm biomass. Be Malaysian National News Agency Press Release. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Mohammed, A., Tjahjono, H and Metal, R. (2014): Analysis of Palm Biomass as Electricity from Palm Oil Mills in North Sumatera. Energy procedia, 47, pp. 166-172 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Najmi, W.M., Rosil, A.N. and Izat, M., S (2007): Combustion Characteristics of Palm Kernel shells using an inclined Grate Combustor. Journal of Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, UiTM, Malaysia, pp. 15-28 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Okpula D. C. (1990): Palm Kernel Shell as a lightweight aggregate in concrete. Building and Environment, Vol. 25, number 4, 1990, pp 291 -296 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Oladosu K. O. (2016) Optimization of Combustion of Palm Kernel shell, in a Grate Furnace for Superheated Steam Generation. Ph.D Thesis, Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Oladosu, K, O. Kareem, B. Akinnuli, B.O. and Asafa, T. B. (2016) Optimization of Ash Yield from Combustion of palm kernel and Selected Additives (Al2O3, CaO and MgO) Using D-Optimal Design. Leonard Electronic Journal of Practices and Technologies, No28, 9-18 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Oladosu., K. O. Kareem., B. Akinnuli, B. O. and Asafa, T. B. (2017) Application of Computer Aided Design of a Scalable Combustion Furnace Using Palm Kernel Shell as Heat Source . Acta Technical Corviniensis-Bulletin of Engineering, I, 127-134 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Oladosu., K. O., Ajayeoba, A. O. Kareem B and Akinnuli, B.O. (2018) Development and Cost Estimation for Sizing 5KW Palm Kernel shell steam Boiler. American Journal of Engineering Research (AJER), 7, 113-122 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Pettersson, L. and Steenari, B. (2009): Chemical fractioning for the characterization of fly ash from combustion of biofuels using different methods of alkali reduction. Fuel, Vol. 88 pp 1758-1772. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Pichet, N. and Vladimir I. (2014): Combustion of palm kernel shell in a fluidized bed: Optimization of biomass particle size and operating conditions. Energyconversion and management,pp.1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2014.01.054. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Sebastian, T. (2002): Thermal Design of Heat Exchangers. Energy Engineering and Environmental Protection, pp. 4-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Sjaak, V. and Jaap, K. (2008): Handbook of biomass combustion and co-firing, ISBN-13:978-1849711043. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Sumanttin, S. and Chai, S. M. (2008): Utilization of oil palm as a source of renewable "energy in Malaysia. Renewable sustainable Energy, Vo1.l2, No 9 pp.04-21. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Thomas, R., Jabouille, F. and Torero, J. L (2009): Effect of excess air on grate combustion of solid wastes and on gaseous products. International Journal of thermal Sciences. Pp 165-173 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Yin, C. Rosendahl,L and Kar S.K. (2008): Grate-firing of biomass for heat and power production. Progress in Energy and combustion Science, Vol. 34, pp. 725-754 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Yusniati, (2018): Biomass analysis at palm oil factory as an electric power plant. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• An Adaptive Joint Filtering Approach to Wireless Relay Network for Transmission Rate Maximization
• IoT-Integrated Mercury Substance Detection System for Cosmetic Product Safety
• Design and Implementation of Solar PV-Based Railway Microgrid for Linke Hofmann Busch Coaches
• Cost Control Techniques on Civil Engineering Projects in Oyo State, Nigeria
• Strength and Predictive Modeling of Corn Cob Ash Blended Concrete Using Multi-Output Artificial Neural Network Approach