Case Study #2

Glycerine Applications

 

Finally, considering all alternatives mentioned previously, the best solution for the farm’s needs would be the glycerine burner.
This is a picture received from one of the manufactures showing the main parts of the equipment.


Figure: Example of a glycerine burner

 

All glycerine burners are fed with a mixture of biodiesel or vegetable oil to the glycerine. In this case, a mixing unit is also needed.

 

Feasibility analysis and conclusion

Based on the amount of glycerine produced per month with the biodiesel production, it is estimated that around 46,000kWh/month can be generated in the farm. The burner can be easily integrated to the current heating system to provide hot water and heating. The burner can substitute the existing boiler or work in parallel, giving more stability and flexibility to the facilities in the farm.

Considering that glycerine will be burned with 12% of biodiesel, which has a cost of opportunity of £0.73/l, the following results are obtained:

Price of biodiesel

£ 0.73

% of biodiesel in the mixture

12%

Net savings per month

£ 353.96

Interest rate

4%

 

 

Pay-back

6.33 (6 years and 3 months)

Break-even

7.44 (7 years and 5 months)

NPV

£7,552.00

These results show that the burner can not only solve the problem of storage of glycerine in the farm but also be an investment with some return.

The cost analysis shows that the installation will have a pay-back in 6.3 years. The break-even is in 7.4 years and the Net Present Value for 10 years is £7,500.00

It is important to notice that percentage and cost of biodiesel to be burned with the glycerine have great influence in the model. Changes in these parameters can affect the result and the conclusion of the feasibility study.

For improvement of these results, the following refinements can be performed:

 

University of Strathclyde