Title: Performance evaluation of a gasification-based trigeneration plant designed for sustainable management of biomass waste

Authors: Abdul Khaliq; Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Hjjaji; Bandar Abdullah Alzahrani; Rayed S. Alshareef

Addresses: Department of Food Technology, School of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi – 110062, India ' Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia ' Department of Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering in Yanbu, Taibah University, Yanbu Governorate, Saudi Arabia ' Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering at Yanbu, Taibah University, Yanbu Al-Bahr – 41911, Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This study presents a theoretical assessment of a biomass-based trigeneration plant designed to reduce energy losses through the combined production of electricity, heating, and low-temperature refrigeration. A mathematical model is developed to investigate trigeneration plant's energetic and exergetic characteristics. System modelling was done in EES software, and unlike, previous investigations, proposed research stands out for development of detailed thermo-chemical model implemented under MATLAB software considering tar formation. Proposed trigeneration plant can yield efficiencies of 74.23% energetically and 44.65% exergetically. The gasifier 25.43%, combustion chamber 15.72%, and EARC 6.41% exhibits significant exergy destructions and hence require special attention.

Keywords: biomass; trigeneration; EARC; exergetic efficiency; air-steam fluidised bed gasification.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2026.155459

International Journal of Exergy, 2026 Vol.50 No.3, pp.237 - 253

Received: 28 Oct 2025
Accepted: 17 Feb 2026
Published online: 03 Aug 2026 *

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