Analysis of energy consumption in three systems for collecting sugarcane straw for use in power generation

Danilo José Carvalho, João Paulo Soto Veiga and Waldir Antonio Bizzo

Energy, 2017, vol. 119, issue C, 178-187

Abstract: This work estimated the energy consumption of three straw-collection systems: baling, forager and whole-plant harvest system in which the chopped cane and straw are separated at the mill. About 12 t ha−1 yr−1 of straw can be collected for a typical sugarcane yield of 100 t ha−1 yr−1. The system with the lowest energy consumption was whole-plant harvesting, which used 2.0 L of diesel fuel per tonne of straw collected for a harvest area 30 km from the mill and when 75% of straw is collected. This value is approximately 40% lower than of the specific consumption estimated for the other systems and just 1–2% of the energy available from the straw. However, for successful application of the whole-plant harvest system, it is needed significant improvements to the efficiency of cane cleaning systems for straw separation. The thermal energy available from the straw when 75% is recovered is 182 GJ ha−1 yr−1, compared to 151 GJ ha−1 yr−1 of the ethanol that can be produced and approximately 174 GJ ha−1 yr−1 from the bagasse. If cane straw were used for electricity generation, an additional 12.6 MWh ha−1 yr−1 could be generated.

Keywords: Cane straw; Cane trash; Bagasse; Ethanol production; Cane straw collecting; Co-generation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:119:y:2017:i:c:p:178-187

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.12.067

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