University of Tehran Press Iranian Journal of Biosystem Engineering 2008-4803 57 1 2026 04 21 Simulation and Performance Analysis of the Solar Preheater of the Cogeneration Power Plant of the Sugarcane Industry Simulation and Performance Analysis of the Solar Preheater of the Cogeneration Power Plant of the Sugarcane Industry 107 128 106713 10.22059/ijbse.2026.406402.665627 FA Ayoub Kaabimofrad Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran 0009-0001-4400-8552 Abbas Asakereh Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran, Ahvaz, Iran 0000-0001-7236-707X Ebrahim Hajidavalloo Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran 0000-0003-0213-083X Mostafa Kiani Deh Kiani Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran 0000-0002-8069-3569 Journal Article 2025 11 16 This research investigated the technical and environmental feasibility of a solar preheater at the Dehbal Khuzayi CHP plant. The goal was to reduce fossil fuel consumption and boost thermal efficiency by using solar energy for boiler feedwater preheating. Dynamic simulations were performed using TRNSYS software to evaluate and compare the thermal behavior of the system, including evacuated tube and parabolic trough collectors. Weather data and the technical characteristics of the base system were considered in the model, and the model’s validity was confirmed by matching its outputs with experimental data. he results showed that the ETC is capable of producing 26,519 GJ of thermal energy per hectare annually, while the PTC has the capacity to produce 16,239 GJ per hectare annually. The outlet temperature of both collector types is capable of reaching the system’s design temperature during peak solar radiation hours. From an environmental perspective, the use of solar collectors resulted in an annual reduction of 4,243 tons of CO₂-eq in the ETC and 3,096 tons of CO₂-eq in the PTC. The economic analysis showed that the ETC is more economical, with a payback period of 2.7 years and an internal rate of return of 31.9 percent. Overall, the results indicate the high efficiency of integrating solar energy into boiler feedwater preheating and its positive impact on reducing fuel consumption, improving thermal efficiency, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions at the Dehbal Khuzayi power plant. This research investigated the technical and environmental feasibility of a solar preheater at the Dehbal Khuzayi CHP plant. The goal was to reduce fossil fuel consumption and boost thermal efficiency by using solar energy for boiler feedwater preheating. Dynamic simulations were performed using TRNSYS software to evaluate and compare the thermal behavior of the system, including evacuated tube and parabolic trough collectors. Weather data and the technical characteristics of the base system were considered in the model, and the model’s validity was confirmed by matching its outputs with experimental data. he results showed that the ETC is capable of producing 26,519 GJ of thermal energy per hectare annually, while the PTC has the capacity to produce 16,239 GJ per hectare annually. The outlet temperature of both collector types is capable of reaching the system’s design temperature during peak solar radiation hours. From an environmental perspective, the use of solar collectors resulted in an annual reduction of 4,243 tons of CO₂-eq in the ETC and 3,096 tons of CO₂-eq in the PTC. The economic analysis showed that the ETC is more economical, with a payback period of 2.7 years and an internal rate of return of 31.9 percent. Overall, the results indicate the high efficiency of integrating solar energy into boiler feedwater preheating and its positive impact on reducing fuel consumption, improving thermal efficiency, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions at the Dehbal Khuzayi power plant. https://ijbse.ut.ac.ir/article_106713_8f7169705bc163ec1c3d0ca8535b3850.pdf