Feasibility analysis of CHP in an olive processing industry

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 42; pp. 52 - 57
• Main Authors: Celma, Antonio Ruiz, Blázquez, Francisco Cuadros, López-Rodríguez, Fernando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agro-food industry; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Combined heat and power (CHP); Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Economic analysis; Environment and sustainable development; Exact sciences and technology; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Internal combustion engine; Pollution; Agro-food industry; Economic analysis; Combined heat and power (CHP); Internal combustion engine; Cogeneration; Pollution prevention; Agricultural industry; Sustainable development; Olive; Food industry; Environment; Feasibility; Environmental protection
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.10.033

The economic viability of a combined heat and power system in a typical olive processing industry is presented in this work. Special attention is paid to the analysis and discussion of energy savings and environmental benefits, with allocation based on shared emission savings between electrical and thermal energy. The installation of a combined heat and power plant based on the gasification of olive stone and on the use of the synthesis gas in an internal combustion engine, as referenced to a separate production mode plant, might lead to the achievement of significant reductions of both primary energy demand (49%) and CO2 emissions, with as short payback time as 3.6 years. This way, a sustainable business can be set as complementary to the productive sector itself.