A Comparison of Various Technological Options for Improving Energy and Water Use Efficiency in a Traditional Sugar Mill

Eyerusalem Birru, Catharina Erlich, Idalberto Herrera, Andrew Martin, Sofia Feychting, Marina Vitez, Emma Bednarcik Abdulhadi, Anna Larsson, Emanuel Onoszko, Mattias Hallersbo, Louise Weilenmann and Laura Puskoriute
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Eyerusalem Birru: Department of Energy Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Catharina Erlich: Department of Energy Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Idalberto Herrera: Center for Energy and Environmental Technologies Assessment (CEETA), Faculty of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Central, University “Marta Abreu” of Las Villas (UCLV), 54830 Santa Clara, Cuba
Andrew Martin: Department of Energy Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Sofia Feychting: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Marina Vitez: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Emma Bednarcik Abdulhadi: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Anna Larsson: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Emanuel Onoszko: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Mattias Hallersbo: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Louise Weilenmann: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden
Laura Puskoriute: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Industrial Technology and Management (ITM), 10044 Stockholm, Sweden

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: This study is a comparison of four technological improvements proposed in previous works for the Cuban sugar mill Carlos Baliño. These technological options are: (1) utilization of excess wastewater for enhanced imbibition; (2) utilization of waste heat for thermally driven cooling; (3) utilization of excess bagasse for pellets; and (4) modification of the cogeneration unit for maximum electric power generation. The method used for the evaluation of the technological options involves using criteria such as energy saving, financial gains, and CO 2 emission saving potential. The results of the analysis show that the first three technological improvement options are attractive only during the crushing season. On the other hand, the last technological improvement option can be attractive if a year round generation of surplus power is sought. The first technological improvement option leads to only minor changes in energy utilization, but the increase in sugar yield of 8.7% leads to attractive profitability with an extremely low payback period. The CO 2 emissions saved due to the fourth technological improvement option are the highest (22,000 tonnes/year) and the cost of CO 2 emissions saved for the third technological improvement option (lowest) amount to 41 USD/tonne of CO 2 emissions saved. The cycle efficiencies of the third and fourth technological improvement options are 37.9% and 36.8%, respectively, with payback periods of 2.3 and 1.6 years. The second technological improvement option is the least attractive alternative of the group.

Keywords: sugar cane bagasse; Carlos Baliño; energy efficiency; wastewater reuse; imbibition; CO 2 emission; absorption chiller; pellet; electricity; energy saving; payback period (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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