Potential of brown algae for sustainable electricity production through anaerobic digestion. (1st March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fasahati, Peyman; Saffron, Christopher M.; Woo, Hee Chul; Liu, J. Jay
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 135(2017)
• Page Start: 297
• Page End: 307
• Publication Date: 2017-03-01
• Subjects: Seaweed -- Brown algae -- Anaerobic digestion -- Methane production -- Electricity -- Economic assessment; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2016.12.084
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Electricity production through anaerobic digestion of brown algae was assessed. Breakeven electricity selling price of 18.81 ¢/kWh was calculated. AD unit has highest energy consumption of 14% of generated electricity. Seaweed cost has largest cost contribution of 11.95 ¢/kWh to the calculated BESP. Impact of economic and process parameters on BESP was assessed. Abstract: This paper assesses the economics of heat and power production from the anaerobic digestion (AD) of brown algae ( Laminaria japonica ) at a plant scale of 400, 000 dry tons/year. The conversion process was simulated in Aspen Plus v.8.6 to obtain rigorous heat and material balance for energy assessments and the development of a techno-economic model. The breakeven electricity selling price (BESP) was found to be 18.81 ¢/kWh assuming 30 years of plant life and a 10% internal rate of return. The results show that the AD unit has the highest energy demand in the entire process and consumes approximately 14% of all electricity produced. In addition, the seaweed cost of 11.95 ¢/kWh is the largest cost component that contributes to the calculated BESP, which means that a reduction in the cost of seaweed cultivation can significantly decrease the electricity production cost. A sensitivity analysis was performed on the economic and process parameters in order to assess the impact of possible variations and uncertainties in these parameters. Results showed that solids loading, anaerobic digestion yield, and time, respectively, have the highest impact on BESP.