scholarly journals Techno-Economic Assessment of the Use of Syngas Generated from Biomass to Feed an Internal Combustion Engine

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3097 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Copa ◽  
C. E. Tuna ◽  
J. L. Silveira ◽  
R. A. M. Boloy ◽  
P. Brito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Model ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
General System ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Cost Factors ◽  
Fuel Costs

The focus of this study is to provide a comparative techno-economic analysis concerning the deployment of small-scale gasification systems in dealing with various fuels from two countries, Portugal and Brazil, for electricity generation in a 15 kWe downdraft gasifier. To quantify this, a mathematical model was implemented and validated against experimental runs gathered from the downdraft reactor. Further, a spreadsheet economic model was developed combining the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and the payback period (PBP) over the project’s lifetime set to 25 years. Cost factors included expenses related to electricity generation, initial investment, operation and maintenance and fuel costs. Revenues were estimated from the electricity sales to the grid. A Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis was used to measure the performance of the economic model and determine the investment risk. The analysis showed an electricity production between 11.6 to 15 kW, with a general system efficiency of approximately 13.5%. The viability of the projects was predicted for an NPV set between 18.99 to 31.65 k€, an IRR between 16.88 to 20.09% and a PBP between 8.67 to 12.61 years. The risk assessment yielded favorable investment projections with greater risk of investment loss in the NPV and the lowest for IRR. Despite the feasibility of the project, the economic performance proved to be highly reliant on the electricity sales prices subdue of energy market uncertainties. Also, regardless of the broad benefits delivered by these systems, their viability is still strikingly influenced by governmental decisions, subsidiary support and favorable electricity sales prices. Overall, this study highlights the empowering effect of small-scale gasification systems settled in decentralized communities for electric power generation.

scholarly journals Municipal Solid Waste as a valuable recycled asset for small-scale electricity production in rural communities

2019 ◽  
pp. 92-106
Author(s):  
Valter Silva ◽  
João Cardoso ◽  
Paulo Brito ◽  
Luís Tarelho ◽  
José Luz
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Economic Model ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Waste To Energy ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Biomass Supply

Municipal solid waste provides an opportunity for electricity production. This strategy provides the rural communities a potential waste-to-energy opportunity to manage its costly residues problem, turning them into a valuable recycled asset. To address this issue, a techno-economic study of an integrated system comprising gasification of Acacia residues and Portuguese Municipal Solid Waste (PMSW) with an Internal Combustion Engine-Generator (ICEG) for electricity generation at small-scale (100 kW) was developed. Current studies only devote attention to biomass residues and do not explore MSW potential to eschew biomass supply shortage. Conventional systems are generally part of biomass supply chains, limiting flexibility and all year operation for their operators. Experimental data was gathered at a downdraft gasifier to provide a clear assessment of particle and tar concentration in the syngas and levers conditioning a satisfactory ICE operation. Once the potential of using Acacia residues and PMSW has been proven during gasification runs testing, and validation, a set of new conditions was also explored through a high-fidelity CFD model. We find that residues blends have the highest potential to generate high-quality syngas and smallest exposure to supply disruption. Despite both substrates showing potential at specific conditions, they also present individual drawbacks which will be best mitigated by executing a hybrid supply comprising the mix of substrates. An economic model coupling the financial indicators of net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR) and the payback period (PBP) considering a project lifetime of 25 years was developed. Cost factors include expenses with electricity generation, initial investment, amortizations and operation and maintenance (containing fuels costs). Revenues were estimated from electricity generated and sales to the national grid. A sensitivity analysis based on the Monte Carlo method was used to measure the economic model performance and to determine the risk in investing in such venture. The risk appraisal yielded favorable investment projections, with an NPV reaching positive values, an IRR superior to the discount rate and PBP lower than the project life span. This work allowed to confirm the positive effect of the generation of energy from downdraft gasification plants on a small-scale. Regardless of the project’s feasibility, the economic performance depended to a large extent on the electricity prices which present considerable variability and are subject to political decisions.

scholarly journals Improvement of Biogas Quality and Quantity for Small-Scale Biogas-Electricity Generation Application in off-Grid Settings: A Field-Based Study

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3088
Author(s):  
Henry Wasajja ◽  
Saqr A. A. Al-Muraisy ◽  
Antonella L. Piaggio ◽  
Pamela Ceron-Chafla ◽  
Purushothaman Vellayani Aravind ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Buffer System ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
Operational Practices ◽  
Pre Treatment

Small-scale electrical power generation (<100 kW) from biogas plants to provide off-grid electricity is of growing interest. Currently, gas engines are used to meet this demand. Alternatively, more efficient small-scale solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can be used to enhance electricity generation from small-scale biogas plants. Most electricity generators require a constant gas supply and high gas quality in terms of absence of impurities like H2S. Therefore, to efficiently use the biogas from existing decentralized anaerobic digesters for electricity production, higher quality and stable biogas flow must be guaranteed. The installation of a biogas upgrading and buffer system could be considered; however, the cost implication could be high at a small scale as compared to locally available alternatives such as co-digestion and improved digester operation. Therefore, this study initially describes relevant literature related to feedstock pre-treatment, co-digestion and user operational practices of small-scale digesters, which theoretically could lead to major improvements of anaerobic digestion process efficiency. The theoretical preamble is then coupled to the results of a field study, which demonstrated that many locally available resources and user practices constitute frugal innovations with potential to improve biogas quality and digester performance in off-grid settings.

Analysis of High-Speed Electrical Generators for Utility Applications

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav P. Petrov
Keyword(s):  
Electricity Generation ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Energy Utilization ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Technical Challenges ◽  
Compact Design

High-speed alternators are believed to be well developed nowadays, following the improvement in performance and decrease of costs for electronic power converters and permanent magnet materials. Their compact design and their ability to vary the rotational speed in off-design conditions promise superior performance when compared to conventional generators. High-speed alternators are only available in limited sizes for small-scale applications, whereas improvements in efficiency and optimized part-load behavior are particularly important especially for small-scale electricity generation. Enhanced energy utilization for electricity production by small utility plants or by distributed units located at private homes or commercial buildings, based on thermodynamic cycles powered by natural gas or various renewable energy sources, is possible to be achieved through a wider application of grid-integrated high-speed technology. This study presents a critical review of previous research and demonstration work on high-speed electrical machines and a summary of the technical challenges limiting their performance and their expansion into larger sizes. Conclusions are drawn for finding appropriate solutions for practical high-speed electricity generation units and their readiness for a much wider deployment. Closer analysis is attempted on the thermal and mechanical integrity of high-speed alternators and the technical challenges that slow down their scale-up to MW-size units for utility applications. The necessary research and development work that needs to be done in the near future is outlined and discussed herein.

Three municipal solid waste gasification technologies analysis for electrical energy generation in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Medina Jimenez ◽  
Reynaldo Palacios- Bereche ◽  
Silvia Nebra
Keyword(s):  
Municipal Solid Waste ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Internal Combustion ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Waste Gasification

In Brazil, in 2016, 196,050 tonnes day-1 of municipal solid waste (MSW) were collected, which means a waste generation of 1.035 kg per capita per day. Only 59.1% of the waste has adequate destination in sanitary landfills, whereas the remaining 40.9% has inadequate destination in controlled landfills and open dumps (ABRELPE, 2018). Among all the states in the country, the State of São Paulo has the biggest per capita generation: 2.290 kg. Today, the only waste destination practiced in the country is deposition in landfills, but other possibilities can be considered. Among thermal treatment routes, the gasification of MSW is an interesting alternative to be studied, because of its versatility and relatively low emissions. The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential of electricity generation through MSW gasification in Santo André city, Brazil, comparing three waste gasification technologies: TPS Termiska Processer AB, Carbogas and Energos. These alternatives have operated commercially for a few years, and data are available. Specific characteristics of each technology were taken into account, such as the reactor type and fuel properties. For the electricity production scheme, two energy conversion systems were assumed: an internal combustion engine and a steam power cycle. From the process parameters adopted, the results showed that Carbogas technology, coupled to internal combustion engines, presents the highest efficiency of electricity generation (30%) and also the lowest cost of electrical energy produced (US$65.22 MWh-1) when Santo André’s gate fee is applied.

Designing an olive tree pruning biorefinery for the production of bioethanol, xylitol and antioxidants: a techno-economic assessment

Holzforschung ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Susmozas ◽  
Antonio D. Moreno ◽  
Juan M. Romero-García ◽  
Paloma Manzanares ◽  
Mercedes Ballesteros
Keyword(s):  
Net Present Value ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Olive Tree ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Biomass Resources ◽  
Tree Pruning

Abstract Olive tree crops, extensively cultivated in Southern European countries, yield large amounts of olive tree pruning (OTP) biomass. This could be used within the framework of a bio-based economy that maximizes the utilization of biomass resources in a sustainable way. In the present work, the techno-economic feasibility of an OTP-based integrated biorefinery is evaluated by the process simulation software Aspen Plus, while the process is aimed at the production of ethanol, xylitol, antioxidants and electricity. Overall, the proposed plant could perform economically, and it is self-sufficient from an energy resource point of view. The plant as designed yields around 109 l of ethanol, 27 kg of xylitol and 43 kg of antioxidants per ton of OTP biomass, with an estimated production cost of 0.24 € l−1, 1.48 € kg−1 and 5.12 € kg−1, respectively. In a 10-year period, the economic profitability of the biorefinery plant is within a positive investment balance, with a net present value (NPV) of 32.1 M€ and a payback period of 5–6 years. These figures point out the opportunities for placing in the market several OTP-based products. Based on these data, the construction of small-scale OTP-based lignocellulosic biorefineries seems to be a realistic scenario.

scholarly journals Technoeconomic Evaluation for an Installed Small-Scale Photovoltaic Power Plant

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bulent Yaniktepe ◽  
Osman Kara ◽  
Coskun Ozalp
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Payback Period ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Economic Method ◽  
Production Economic ◽  
Installed Capacity

Solar energy production and economic evaluation are analyzed, in this study, by using daily solar radiation and average temperature data which are measured for 3 years in the Osmaniye province in Turkey. Besides, this study utilizes the photovoltaic- (PV-) based grid connected to a power plant which has an installed capacity of 1 MW investment in electricity production. Economic values show that the net present value (NPV), the first economic method in the research, is about 111941 USD, which is greater than zero. Therefore, the payback year of this investment is approximately 8.3. The second one of these methods, the payback period of the simple payback period (PBP), is 6.27 years. The last method, which is the mean value of the internal rate of return (IRR), is 10.36%. The results of this study show that Osmaniye is a considerable region for the PV investment in electricity production. As a result, investment of a PV system in Osmaniye can be applicable.

scholarly journals Computer Tool for Sizing and Economic Assessment of Grid Connected Photovoltaic System

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 137
Author(s):  
Arnold Ferney Torres Ome ◽  
Ana Lucía Paque Salazar ◽  
Fernand Diaz Franco ◽  
July Steffany González López
Keyword(s):  
Economic Evaluation ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
System Size ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Solar Applications

Thanks to the location close to the Equator line, Colombia offers an advantage location for solar applications. This is the case of Neiva, a city located in the south of Colombia where the average temperature and irradiance are 31 &deg;C and 4 kW/m2 respectively. This paper describes the development of an investment payback solar calculator (PSC) software for residential and commercial PV solar applications in Neiva. The PSC uses both the average solar energy and the electricity prices to estimate the rate of return on investment, the payback period (PBP), the net present value (NPV) as well as the environmental impact. The PCS software is then evaluated using a historical and statistical information from NASA, adjusted with the results of a small scale 1 kW grid connected PV system production. The results show that the PCS software can satisfactorily indicate the PV system size and perform an economic evaluation of the system to be implemented. The results obtained using the application developed were compared to two commercially available software Sunny Design and HOMER. The NPV and the PBP values showed that the proposed application results are like those delivered by the commercial software. Furthermore, the economic evaluation given by the developed tool uses additional information which makes it more accurate in countries where socioeconomic stratum is presented.

scholarly journals Selection of a chipper technology for small-scale operations – a Finnish case

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (No. 4) ◽  
pp. 121-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juha Laitila ◽  
Robert Prinz ◽  
Lauri Sikanen
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Unit Cost ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Operating Costs ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Technical Details ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Cost Factors ◽  
Selection Of

The objective of this study was to determine the economic performance of alternative chipper choices for small-scale chipping based on unit cost (€ per chip-m3) and net present value (NPV) calculations. For the chipping cost and investment profitability analyses four tractor-powered professional or semi-professional disc chippers and two professional drum chippers mounted on a truck or powered by tractor were selected. Initial investment, operating costs, and the cost of outsourced chipping were the key elements for comparing the profitability of investment alternatives. The average purchase prices, cost factors, and technical details of the chipper units were acquired from machine dealers, specification sheets, a literature review, and interviews with chipping entrepreneurs. The results of the three tractor-powered professional chippers involved in the comparison were very close to each other. The profitable running of a truck-mounted drum chipper calls for high annual chipping volumes: the chipper type is therefore a feasible choice for an entrepreneur in large-scale chipping. Semi-professional disc chippers offer lower investment costs, but their economic feasibility is relatively poor.

scholarly journals SPEAR (Solar Pyrolysis Energy Access Reactor): Theoretical Design and Evaluation of a Small-Scale Low-Cost Pyrolysis Unit for Implementation in Rural Communities

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2189
Author(s):  
Cesare Caputo ◽  
Ondřej Mašek
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Agricultural Waste ◽  
Tracking Error ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Energy Access ◽  
Efficient System ◽  
Pyrolysis Unit

Energy access and waste management are two of the most pressing developmental and environmental issues on a global level to help mitigate the accelerating impacts of climate change. They are particularly relevant in Sub–Saharan Africa where electrification rates are significantly below global averages and rural areas are lacking a formal waste management sector. This paper explores the potential of integrating solar energy into a biomass pyrolysis unit as a potentially synergetic solution to both issues. The full design of a slow pyrolysis batch reactor targeted at biochar production, following a strict cost minimization approach, is presented in light of the relevant considerations. SPEAR is powered using a Cassegrain optics parabolic dish system, integrated into the reactor via a manual tracking system and optically optimized with a Monte-Carlo ray tracing methodology. The design approach employed has led to the development an overall cost efficient system, with the potential to achieve optical efficiencies up 72% under a 1.5° tracking error. The outputs of the system are biochar and electricity, to be used for soil amendment and energy access purposes, respectively. There is potential to pyrolyze a number of agricultural waste streams for the region, producing at least 5 kg of biochar per unit per day depending on the feedstock employed. Financial assessment of SPEAR yields a positive Net Present Value (NPV) in nearly all scenarios evaluated and a reasonable competitiveness with small scale solar for electrification objectives. Finally, SPEAR presents important positive social and environmental externalities and should be feasibly implementable in the region in the near term.

scholarly journals Preliminary Techno-Economic Assessment of Animal Cell-Based Meat

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Derrick Risner ◽  
Fangzhou Li ◽  
Jason S. Fell ◽  
Sara A. Pace ◽  
Justin B. Siegel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Chemical Engineering ◽  
Animal Cell ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Monoclonal Antibody Production ◽  
Technological Performance ◽  
Low Volume ◽  
Cost Factors

Interest in animal cell-based meat (ACBM) or laboratory-grown meat has been increasing; however, the economic viability of these potential products has not been thoroughly vetted. Recent studies suggest monoclonal antibody production technology can be adapted for the industrialization of ACBM production. This study provides a scenario-based assessment of the projected cost per kilogram of ACBM produced in the United States based on cellular metabolic requirements and process/chemical engineering conventions. A sensitivity analysis of the model identified the nine most influential cost factors for ACBM production out of 67 initial parameters. The results indicate that technological performance will need to approach technical limits for ACBM to achieve profitably as a commodity. However, the model also suggests that low-volume high-value specialty products could be viable based on current technology.

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