Title:
The Effect of Economic Variables Over a Biodiesel Production Plant Using Calcium Oxide as a Catalyst
Author(s):
Gebremariam, S.N., Marchetti, J.M.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Extensive use of fossil fuels has been contributing a lot to the human induced climate change. This calls for the use of renewable energy resources, such as biofuels produced from different renewable resources. Among these types of fuels, biodiesel is considered as a convenient substitute for petrol diesel for its substantial environmental benefits. The challenge to use biodiesel for fuel is mainly due to its higher cost of production. This is usually attributed to the cost of the feedstock comprising from 75 to 90% of the total cost of biodiesel production. Different studies have been done on the economics of biodiesel production to seek for cost effective process options. This study is meant to investigate the effect of the most important market variables of a biodiesel production considering a novel calcium oxide (CaO) catalyzed transesterification process. A conceptual process simulation of the plant using Super Pro design software was employed to carry on the economics scenarios and to evaluate the effects of selected variables such as oil purchasing price, biodiesel-selling price, alcohol purchasing price, labor cost, and tax variation. Modifications on the values of these variables have shown great effects on the overall economy of the production process. Among these market variables, oil purchasing cost presented a higher influence in the economy, with about 73% decrease in NPV due to only 22% increase in the oil purchasing cost. At optimum conditions, the process would be profitable for oil cost below 590US$/ton.
Keywords:
biodiesel, economics, CaO catalyst, oil cost
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Fuels, Chemicals and Materials
Subtopic:
Oil-based biofuels
Event:
26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3AV.4.15
Pages:
1057 - 1065
ISBN:
978-88-89407-18-9
Paper DOI:
10.5071/26thEUBCE2018-3AV.4.15
Price:
FREE
