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Economic Analysis of Pellet Production in Co-Digestion Biogas Plants

Author

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  • Dávid Nagy

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Péter Balogh

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Zoltán Gabnai

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • József Popp

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Judit Oláh

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

  • Attila Bai

    (Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Debrecen, Böszörményi Street 138, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary)

Abstract

In our paper we examine the economics of a technological process which utilizes the separated biogas plant digestate as the primary material and, as auxiliary material, the waste heat produced by the cogeneration process, to produce a marketable pellet which can be used in two ways (to supply soil nutrients and heat energy). Using multivariate linear regression model we developed an equation for the biogas yield from the modelled production recipe and expected nutrient pellet prices, and sensitivity analysis were also performed for the substrate dry matter content. We found that pellets can be produced at a cost of 88–90 EUR/ton with a 6 to 10% dry matter substrate content and that, primarily, sales of pellets for heating justify pelleting; producer’s own use and use for nutrient purposes can only be justified in exceptional cases. In the case of dry solid content above 5%, the process does not require the total amount of waste heat; some of this can be used to cover other heat requirements.

Suggested Citation

  • Dávid Nagy & Péter Balogh & Zoltán Gabnai & József Popp & Judit Oláh & Attila Bai, 2018. "Economic Analysis of Pellet Production in Co-Digestion Biogas Plants," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:5:p:1135-:d:144400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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