Title:
Production Costs of Wood Pellets in Germany
Author(s):
Lefèvre, C., Seidelt, S., Castagno, F.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
The wood pellet market is growing strongly and presents an opportunity for the development of the efficient use of biomass in both domestic and industrial applications. Compared to wood logs and wood chips, the process needed for the manufacturing of this type of fuel involves more steps. This process impacts the fuel production costs. Understanding the production cost structure first enables us to identify the most influential parameters in the final production costs and second helps us to define the best configuration for decreasing production costs. A tool has been built in order to estimate the production costs of wood pellets in Germany, from the introduction of the raw material -sawdust in this case -to the production of the wood pellets. More than fifty parameters directly and indirectly impacting the whole process are taken into account. Parameters linked to the biomass material, the process itself and the plant are analysed. Results show that the production costs of wood pellets strongly depend on the characteristics studied in the frame of the project. Amongst the most influential parameters, prices of raw material and moisture content, energy costs and the size of the plant are the most relevant.
Keywords:
economical aspects, production, wood pellet
Topic:
Fuels from biomass
Subtopic:
Production, supply and use of solid biofuels
Event:
18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP3.1.25
Pages:
1728 - 1732
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-56-1
ISBN-10:
88-89407-56-5
Paper DOI:
10.5071/18thEUBCE2010-VP3.1.25
Price:
FREE
