Techno-economic Analysis of BioChar Production and Energy Generation from Poultry Litter Waste

The technical, environmental and economic analysis of generating electricity and/or heat together with bio-char from poultry litter (PL) waste is the subject of this study. For this analysis, the process simulation software ECLIPSE is used. Modelling and simulation have been conducted over the configuration: combined updraft gasification and pyrolysis process integrated with an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The facility will initially be capable of processing 1500kg of PL waste at 30% moisture content every hour. The expansion plans of the facility are underway to deal with 3000kg of PL waste per hour. Based on the results achieved, the key technical and environmental issues have been examined. Finally, an economic evaluation of the system is performed. The ECLIPSE simulation shows that the yield of biochar produced in the updraft gasifier is around 415kg per hour and the producer gas is about 2052m(3)/hour with a calorific value of 4.45MJ/Nm(3). Gross electric power generated by the ORC system is 391kWh(e). Recovered low grade heat for space heating is estimated at 1822kWh(th). The results of the economic analysis demonstrate that if the plant is paying 10 pound/tonne for receiving and handling the PL waste without the options of selling either heat or electricity, the Breakeven Cost for the biochar from the selected system is estimated at 215 pound per tonne. If the sales of electricity and heat produced by the system are assumed to be about 60 pound/MWhe and 10 pound/MWhth, this value will go down to 176 pound per tonne. The case studies also indicate that if a gate fee of 20 pound/tonne is introduced, the biochar cost (with CHP installation) can be reduced from 176 pound to 104 pound per tonne, accounting for 40% cost reduction. On the other hand if biochar generated has an average price of 150 pound per tonne in the market, the plant is still paying a handling fee of 10 pound/tonne for the PL feedstock but will receive one Renewable Obligation Certificate (ROC) from the UK Government, the Levelised Cost of Electricity for the power generation will be 51 pound/MWhe, which is compatible with electricity generated by fossil fuel power plants. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.