IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v16y2023i4p1914-d1069030.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Technoeconomic Feasibility of Bioenergy Production from Wood Sawdust

Author

Listed:
  • Peyman Alizadeh

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

  • Lope G. Tabil

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

  • Edmund Mupondwa

    (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada
    Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2, Canada)

  • Xue Li

    (Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 107 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2, Canada)

  • Duncan Cree

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan, 57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9, Canada)

Abstract

In this study, the technoeconomic feasibility of bioenergy production from sawdust under four different case scenarios is simulated and compared. These scenarios include: (1) heat and electricity generation from raw sawdust; (2) pellet production from sawdust; (3) and (4) integrated biorefinery approach for the simultaneous manufacturing of multiple products (steam-exploded and torrefied pellets) and co-products (furfural, hydroxy methyl furfural (HMF), acetic acid), along with heat and electricity generation. Economic assessments such as cost analysis, payback time (PBT), net present value (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR) were determined for these scenarios. The results showed that the approach of producing torrefied pellets, furfural, and acetic acid, along with co-generated heat and electricity, in terms of multiproducts and profitability (NPV (at 7%): USD 38.29 M) was preferable over other alternatives. In terms of simplified technology and other economic indices (PBT: 2.49 year, IRR: 51.33%, and return on investment (ROI): 40.1%), the scenario for producing pellets from wood sawdust was more promising than others. If plant capacity was not a limiting factor, the optimal size for the combined heat and power (CHP) plant was between 250–300 kt for the main product. Additionally, untreated and treated pellet plants equipped with CHP had an optimal size of 150–200 kt of wood pellets per year.

Suggested Citation

  • Peyman Alizadeh & Lope G. Tabil & Edmund Mupondwa & Xue Li & Duncan Cree, 2023. "Technoeconomic Feasibility of Bioenergy Production from Wood Sawdust," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-18, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:1914-:d:1069030
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/4/1914/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/4/1914/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. McKechnie, Jon & Saville, Brad & MacLean, Heather L., 2016. "Steam-treated wood pellets: Environmental and financial implications relative to fossil fuels and conventional pellets for electricity generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 637-649.
    2. Kumar, Amit & Flynn, Peter & Sokhansanj, Shahab, 2008. "Biopower generation from mountain pine infested wood in Canada: An economical opportunity for greenhouse gas mitigation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 1354-1363.
    3. Yun, Huimin & Clift, Roland & Bi, Xiaotao, 2020. "Process simulation, techno-economic evaluation and market analysis of supply chains for torrefied wood pellets from British Columbia: Impacts of plant configuration and distance to market," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    4. Gebreegziabher, Tesfaldet & Oyedun, Adetoyese Olajire & Hui, Chi Wai, 2013. "Optimum biomass drying for combustion – A modeling approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 67-73.
    5. Sarkar, Susanjib & Kumar, Amit, 2010. "Biohydrogen production from forest and agricultural residues for upgrading of bitumen from oil sands," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 582-591.
    6. Luk, Ho Ting & Lam, Tsz Ying Gene & Oyedun, Adetoyese Olajire & Gebreegziabher, Tesfaldet & Hui, Chi Wai, 2013. "Drying of biomass for power generation: A case study on power generation from empty fruit bunch," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 205-215.
    7. Batidzirai, B. & Mignot, A.P.R. & Schakel, W.B. & Junginger, H.M. & Faaij, A.P.C., 2013. "Biomass torrefaction technology: Techno-economic status and future prospects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 196-214.
    8. Quoilin, Sylvain & Broek, Martijn Van Den & Declaye, Sébastien & Dewallef, Pierre & Lemort, Vincent, 2013. "Techno-economic survey of Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 168-186.
    9. Tromborg, Erik & Bolkesjo, Torjus Folsland & Solberg, Birger, 2007. "Impacts of policy means for increased use of forest-based bioenergy in Norway--A spatial partial equilibrium analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 5980-5990, December.
    10. Peyman Alizadeh & Tim Dumonceaux & Lope G. Tabil & Edmund Mupondwa & Majid Soleimani & Duncan Cree, 2022. "Steam Explosion Pre-Treatment of Sawdust for Biofuel Pellets," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-18, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw & Adam Koniuszy & Andrzej Borusiewicz & Zbigniew Skibko & Wacław Romaniuk & Grzegorz Zając & Joanna Szyszlak-Bargłowicz, 2024. "Ecotoxicity of Tar from Coffee Grounds and Pine Pellet Gasification Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Chukwuka Onyenwoke & Lope G. Tabil & Tim Dumonceaux & Edmund Mupondwa & Duncan Cree & Xue Li & Onu Onu Olughu, 2023. "Technoeconomic Analysis of Torrefaction and Steam Explosion Pretreatment Prior to Pelletization of Selected Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-19, December.
    3. Zygmunt Stanula & Marek Wieruszewski & Adam Zydroń & Krzysztof Adamowicz, 2023. "Optimizing Forest-Biomass-Distribution Logistics from a Multi-Level Perspective—Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-17, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Khouya, Ahmed, 2021. "Modelling and analysis of a hybrid solar dryer for woody biomass," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    2. Dovichi Filho, Fernando Bruno & Lora, Electo Eduardo Silva & Palacio, Jose Carlos Escobar & Venturini, Osvaldo José & Jaén, René Lesme, 2023. "An approach to technology selection in bioelectricity technical potential assessment: A Brazilian case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    3. Wegener, Moritz & Malmquist, Anders & Isalgué, Antonio & Martin, Andrew, 2018. "Biomass-fired combined cooling, heating and power for small scale applications – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 392-410.
    4. Rodrigues Silveira, Andrei Rei & Nadaleti, Willian Cézar & Przybyla, Grzegorz & Belli Filho, Paulo, 2019. "Potential use of methane and syngas from residues generated in rice industries of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul: Thermal and electrical energy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 1003-1016.
    5. Suopajärvi, Hannu & Umeki, Kentaro & Mousa, Elsayed & Hedayati, Ali & Romar, Henrik & Kemppainen, Antti & Wang, Chuan & Phounglamcheik, Aekjuthon & Tuomikoski, Sari & Norberg, Nicklas & Andefors, Alf , 2018. "Use of biomass in integrated steelmaking – Status quo, future needs and comparison to other low-CO2 steel production technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 384-407.
    6. Yek, Peter Nai Yuh & Cheng, Yoke Wang & Liew, Rock Keey & Wan Mahari, Wan Adibah & Ong, Hwai Chyuan & Chen, Wei-Hsin & Peng, Wanxi & Park, Young-Kwon & Sonne, Christian & Kong, Sieng Huat & Tabatabaei, 2021. "Progress in the torrefaction technology for upgrading oil palm wastes to energy-dense biochar: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    7. Olateju, Babatunde & Kumar, Amit, 2013. "Techno-economic assessment of hydrogen production from underground coal gasification (UCG) in Western Canada with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) for upgrading bitumen from oil sands," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 428-440.
    8. Bamorovat Abadi, Gholamreza & Kim, Kyung Chun, 2017. "Investigation of organic Rankine cycles with zeotropic mixtures as a working fluid: Advantages and issues," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1000-1013.
    9. Guillaume, Ludovic & Legros, Arnaud & Desideri, Adriano & Lemort, Vincent, 2017. "Performance of a radial-inflow turbine integrated in an ORC system and designed for a WHR on truck application: An experimental comparison between R245fa and R1233zd," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(P3), pages 408-422.
    10. Francesconi, Marco & Antonelli, Marco, 2017. "A numerical model for the prediction of the fluid dynamic and mechanical losses of a Wankel-type expansion device," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 225-235.
    11. Maung, Thein A. & McCarl, Bruce A., 2013. "Economic factors influencing potential use of cellulosic crop residues for electricity generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 81-91.
    12. Lane, Blake & Kinnon, Michael Mac & Shaffer, Brendan & Samuelsen, Scott, 2022. "Deployment planning tool for environmentally sensitive heavy-duty vehicles and fueling infrastructure," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    13. Luo, Xianglong & Yi, Zhitong & Zhang, Bingjian & Mo, Songping & Wang, Chao & Song, Mengjie & Chen, Ying, 2017. "Mathematical modelling and optimization of the liquid separation condenser used in organic Rankine cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1309-1323.
    14. Roberto Pili & Hartmut Spliethoff & Christoph Wieland, 2017. "Dynamic Simulation of an Organic Rankine Cycle—Detailed Model of a Kettle Boiler," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-28, April.
    15. Zimmer, Tobias & Rudi, Andreas & Müller, Ann-Kathrin & Fröhling, Magnus & Schultmann, Frank, 2017. "Modeling the impact of competing utilization paths on biomass-to-liquid (BtL) supply chains," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 954-971.
    16. Buonomano, Annamaria & Calise, Francesco & Palombo, Adolfo & Vicidomini, Maria, 2015. "Energy and economic analysis of geothermal–solar trigeneration systems: A case study for a hotel building in Ischia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 224-241.
    17. Sikarwar, Shailesh Singh & Surywanshi, Gajanan Dattarao & Patnaikuni, Venkata Suresh & Kakunuri, Manohar & Vooradi, Ramsagar, 2020. "Chemical looping combustion integrated Organic Rankine Cycled biomass-fired power plant – Energy and exergy analyses," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 931-949.
    18. Kim, Dong Kyu & Lee, Ji Sung & Kim, Jinwoo & Kim, Mo Se & Kim, Min Soo, 2017. "Parametric study and performance evaluation of an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system using low-grade heat at temperatures below 80°C," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 55-65.
    19. Miguel Castro Oliveira & Muriel Iten & Pedro L. Cruz & Helena Monteiro, 2020. "Review on Energy Efficiency Progresses, Technologies and Strategies in the Ceramic Sector Focusing on Waste Heat Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-24, November.
    20. Stanojevic, M. & Vranes, S. & Gökalp, I., 2010. "Green accounting for greener energy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2473-2491, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:1914-:d:1069030. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.