Techno economic assessment for setting up a viable biogas plant at a local landfill in South Africa

Mercy M. Manyuchi, Charles Mbohwa, Edison Muzenda, Samsom Masebinu

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The potential to economically run a biogas plant for the generation of fuel for use by the local buses was investigated. Various organic waste with varying total solids (TS) and organic loading were investigated for bio methane generated under mesophilic conditions. The first plant had a capacity of 10 tons per day and TS loading of 11% and 15%. Assuming 20 years of operation, after investing R 10 848 338, a breakeven point of 9.9 years with an internal rate of return of 8.3% was achieved for TS loading of 15% with 85% base. Whereas, when a 50 tons per day plant was investigated for a TS loading of 11% and 15%, a breakeven point of 6.4 years was achieved with an internal rate of return of 14.3% at an organic base of 85%. From the assessment, it is economical to set up a 50 tons per day plant and the biogas produced has potential to power more than 10 local buses. This can be further increased if the organic loading in the bio digester is increased to 25% TS content.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)159-165
Number of pages7
JournalProceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management
Volume2017
Issue numberJUL
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventEuropean International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.IEOM 2017 -
Duration: 24 Jul 201725 Jul 2017

Keywords

  • Biogas
  • Economic assessment
  • Internal rate of return
  • Organic waste

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Strategy and Management
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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