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Feasibility Analysis of Bio-Methane Production in a Biogas Plant: A Case Study

Author

Listed:
  • Andrea Baccioli

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Constructions Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Ferrari

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Constructions Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy
    National Research Council of Italy CNR-ICCOM – Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy)

  • Romain Guiller

    (Department of Thermal and Energy Science, Polytech Nantes, University of Nantes, Rue Christian Pauc, 44300 Nantes, France)

  • Oumayma Yousfi

    (Department of Thermal and Energy Science, Polytech Nantes, University of Nantes, Rue Christian Pauc, 44300 Nantes, France)

  • Francesco Vizza

    (National Research Council of Italy CNR-ICCOM – Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy)

  • Umberto Desideri

    (Department of Energy, Systems, Territory and Constructions Engineering, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

A feasibility analysis, to assess the suitability of converting the biogas produced in an existing anaerobic digestion plant to bio-methane, was carried out. The case study plant was equipped with a micro-gas turbine co-generator. Several upgrading systems of different sizes were considered, to determine the most suitable configuration from a thermodynamic and economic point of view. For this purpose, a model of the whole plant that included digesters, a micro-gas turbine, a sludge line, heat transfer loops, and heat exchangers was developed. A steady-state simulation was performed by using the daily average conditions for the one-year long operation of the plant. The results highlighted that the feasibility depended on the amount of bio-methane produced, as this affected the performance of the cogeneration system and the balance between the costs and revenues. When large amounts of biogas are upgraded to bio-methane, the heat provided by the micro-gas turbine during the winter season is not sufficient to keep the digesters at the desired temperature and, therefore, natural gas integration is necessary. In addition, by increasing the upgrading unit size, the amount of electric energy purchased by the grid increases accordingly. An economic analysis showed that the optimal upgrading system size was strongly dependent on the bio-methane selling price.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Baccioli & Lorenzo Ferrari & Romain Guiller & Oumayma Yousfi & Francesco Vizza & Umberto Desideri, 2019. "Feasibility Analysis of Bio-Methane Production in a Biogas Plant: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:473-:d:202755
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Kovalovszki, Adam & Treu, Laura & Ellegaard, Lars & Luo, Gang & Angelidaki, Irini, 2020. "Modeling temperature response in bioenergy production: Novel solution to a common challenge of anaerobic digestion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(C).
    3. Şenol, Halil & Ali Dereli̇, Mehmet & Özbilgin, Ferdi, 2021. "Investigation of the distribution of bovine manure-based biomethane potential using an artificial neural network in Turkey to 2030," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    4. Dariusz Kusz & Iwona Bąk & Beata Szczecińska & Ludwik Wicki & Bożena Kusz, 2022. "Determinants of Return-on-Equity (ROE) of Biogas Plants Operating in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Gianluca Caposciutti & Andrea Baccioli & Lorenzo Ferrari & Umberto Desideri, 2020. "Biogas from Anaerobic Digestion: Power Generation or Biomethane Production?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, February.
    6. Eric Santos-Clotas & Alba Cabrera-Codony & Alba Castillo & Maria J. Martín & Manel Poch & Hèctor Monclús, 2019. "Environmental Decision Support System for Biogas Upgrading to Feasible Fuel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-14, April.

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