Analysis of the Model Application of Mechanical Equipment for Hydrothermal Treatment at Biogas Plant

Abstract

The goal of the paper was to analyse model applications of mechanical equipment for hydrothermal treatment. Alternative 1 was an alternative with a treatment output of 14 500 Mg of processed material, the annual electricity and heat total production of 4000 MWh respectively 3800 MWh, total capital expenditure of 40 000 000 CZK, unit capital expenditure of 2759 CZK per 1 Mg of processed biodegradable material and annual operating expenses of 19 371 000 CZK. The net present value (NPV) is 1 061 000 CZK, the internal rate or return (IRR) totals 4.9%, the simple payback time (Ts) is 12.6 years and the discounted payback time (Tsd) is 19.2 years. Alternative 2 employing the mechanical equipment proved a potential increase in the treatment output to 18 125 Mg, and an increase in the electricity and heat total production to 5000 MWh respectively 4800 MWh, thanks to the shortened intensification of the anaerobic fermentation process. At the same time, the total capital expenditure rose to 43 000 000 CZK, the operating expenses rose to CZK 24 213 000. The unit capital expenditure of alternative 2 amounts to 2372 CZK per 1 Mg of the of processed biodegradable material. The NPV totals 8 329 000 CZK, IRR is at 6.7%, the simple payback time (Ts) is 10.8 years and Tsd totals 15.3 years.