Economic analysis of biogas upgrading and utilization as vehicular fuel in South Africa

S. O. Masebinu, A. O. Aboyade, E. Muzenda

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Economic and sensitivity analysis of a simulated biogas upgrading plant using a gas permeation software has been presented in this study. The effect of three process conditions on gas processing cost (GPC) were simulated. An increase in CO2 increased the GPC from $0.73 to $1.39/m3 of biomethane while an increase in feed pressure increased GPC from $0.65 to $1.16/m3 of biomethane. As the feed flow rate increased from 80-140 m3/h, the product flow rate increased from 46-100 m3/h while the GPC decreases from $0.79 to $0.39/m3 of biomethane. At optimized condition, the calculated GPC was $0.46/m3 of biomethane. The NPV, IRR and BCR for producing biomethane was R15,240,343, 22.41% and 2.0S respectively with a break-even in the 5lh year. Using CBG over gasoline, the end user saves 34% of annual fuel cost which is approximately R47,255 with a payback period of one year and three months for vehicle retrofitting. The fuel prices differential between gasoline and CBG as well as the overall savings, makes CBG attractive to the producer and end user.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWCECS 2015 - World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science 2015
EditorsCraig Douglas, Jon Burgstone, Warren S. Grundfest, Jon Burgstone, Craig Douglas, S. I. Ao
PublisherNewswood Limited
Pages579-588
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9789881404725
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Event2015 World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science, WCECS 2015 - San Francisco, United States
Duration: Oct 21 2015Oct 23 2015

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Engineering and Computer Science
Volume2220
ISSN (Print)2078-0958

Other

Other2015 World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science, WCECS 2015
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period10/21/1510/23/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Computer Science (miscellaneous)

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