Abstract
This work assesses the costs of exploiting the biomass feedstock chaff. Chaff is a harvest residue generated during the conventional grain harvesting process and usually remains on the field. In this paper, the costs of collecting and supplying chaff to the end user with different harvesting methods and supply chains are analyzed. The costs are estimated for a base case defining a set of general assumptions. The impact of these assumptions is analyzed in a sensitivity analysis by means of tornado diagrams. A full costing method based on the VDI guideline 2067 part 1 is applied for the cost estimation. The cost analysis reveals that ceasing the fractioning of grain, straw and chaff during harvesting and transporting them as a mixture reduces the harvesting costs significantly. The costs are decreased due to a reduction in agricultural operations and processing large amounts of material. The lowest total costs originate from the production of chaff-straw bales. Harvesting chaff as a single fraction leads to the highest costs with the investigated supply chains. Comparing the costs of chaff supply to potential revenues shows that an exploitation of the harvest residue can be economically feasible.
Highlights
Harvesting chaff as a single fraction leads to the highest costs with the investigated supply chains
Comparing the costs of chaff supply to potential revenues shows that an exploitation of the harvest residue can be economically feasible
If a supply of chaff is economically feasible depends on the revenues that can be generated by a utilization
Summary
The global energy demand increases while at the same time fossil fuels deplete. Despite the need to access renewable energy sources, the utilization of biomass for energetic purposes is in critique due to the competition with food cultivation. The energetic application of residues is one approach to tackle this dilemma [1,2,3,4]. The utilization of agricultural residues is promoted at EU level by the “double counting mechanism”. In order to fulfill the European biofuel blending quota, biofuels from residues are counted twice [5]. Exploiting the harvest fraction chaff is one way of increasing the energetic utilization of agricultural residues by accessing a so far unused biomass feedstock
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
