Cogeneration of Power from Sugarcane Bagasse: Technology, Efficiency, and Industrial Application

The global energy sector is increasingly shifting toward renewable and decentralized power generation. Within this context, cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power (CHP), has emerged as a highly efficient method of producing energy by simultaneously generating electricity and useful thermal energy from a single fuel source. In sugar-producing regions, sugarcane bagasse—the fibrous residue left after extracting juice from sugarcane—has proven to be a valuable biomass fuel for cogeneration systems.

- By Editorial Team

1. Introduction

By integrating modern boiler technology, high-pressure steam cycles, and optimized plant layouts, sugar mills can produce enough energy not only for their own operations but also for exporting electricity to the grid. This offers both economic and environmental benefits, making bagasse-based cogeneration a critical component of sustainable agro-industrial trial development.

2. Properties and Availability of Sugarcane Bagasse

Bagasse is composed primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, moisture, and small quantities of ash. Its key characteristics include:

•Moisture content: 45–50% (can vary based on milling efficiency)

•Lower heating value (LHV): 7,000–9,000 kJ/kg

•Bulk density: 100–150 kg/m³

•Fiber content: ~50%

•Ash content: 1–4%

These properties make bagasse a moderately efficient but abundant biomass fuel. Typically, for every 1 ton of crushed sugarcane, about 270–300 kg of bagasse is generated. A medium-sized mill crushing 5,000 tons/day can therefore produce approximately 1,400–1,500 tons of bagasse daily, ensuring a continuous fuel supply during the crushing season.

3. Principles of Cogeneration Using Bagasse

Cogeneration plants rely on the thermodynamic Rankine cycle, where fuel is burned to generate steam that drives a turbine coupled with an electrical generator. In sugar mills, the generated steam serves dual purposes:

1.Mechanical or Electrical Power: Turbines produce electricity for use in mill operations or for export to the grid.

2.Process Steam: The exhaust steam provides heat for sugar production processes including evaporation, crystallization, and drying.

This dual utilization ensures a total system efficiency of 60–80%, much higher than conventional power plants that typically achieve only 30–35% energy efficiency.