Integration of biomass in combined cycle plants. A possible solution to have both thermodynamic and economic convenience

For a combined cycle power plant it is well known that, from a thermodynamic point of view, it is convenient to introduce thermal power in the topping cycle. Heat introduction in the bottoming cycle could be interesting, mainly if a low enthalpy fuel is used for refiring. The study involves the analysis of biomass integration in combined cycle power plants, showing the possibility of obtaining efficiency up to 60%. After an analysis of the available technical solution, a thermoeconomic method is proposed to perform an optimization of this particular technological solution, concerning the integration of biomass in high efficiency power plants.