Thermoeconomic Analysis of Biomethane Production Plants: A Dynamic Approach

Francesco Liberato Cappiello, Luca Cimmino, Marialuisa Napolitano and Maria Vicidomini
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Francesco Liberato Cappiello: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, NA, Italy
Luca Cimmino: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, NA, Italy
Marialuisa Napolitano: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, NA, Italy
Maria Vicidomini: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Napoli, NA, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-23

Abstract: This work analyses the two most diffused technologies for biogas upgrading, namely water scrubbing and membrane separation. In order to carry out such analysis, these two technologies are coupled with photovoltaic panels and an electric energy storage system. The optimal water scrubbing renewable plant achieves a primary energy saving of 5.22 GWh/year and an operating cost saving of 488 k€/year, resulting in the best plant. It was compared to a reference system based on a cogenerator unit, directly supplied by biogas, producing thermal and electric energy, and delivered to the district heating network and to the electric grid. The profitability of both plants depends on the electric energy and biomethane exporting price. The proposed bigas upgrading plant achieves a payback period lower than 10 years with a biomethane selling price greater than 0.55 €/Sm 3 and a primary energy saving index around 25–30% with a null share of thermal energy exported by the cogeneration plant.

Keywords: biogas upgrading; biomethane; photovoltaic panels; mathematical model; biofuel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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