Analysing biomass torrefaction supply chain costs
Journal article, 2013

The objective of the present work was to develop a techno-economic system model to evaluate how logistics and production parameters affect the torrefaction supply chain costs under Swedish conditions. The model consists of four sub-models: (1) supply system, (2) a complete energy and mass balance of drying, torrefaction and densification, (3) investment and operating costs of a green field, stand-alone torrefaction pellet plant, and (4) distribution system to the gate of an end user. The results show that the torrefaction supply chain reaps significant economies of scale up to a plant size of about 150–200 kiloton dry substance per year (ktonDS/year), for which the total supply chain costs accounts to 31.8 euro per megawatt hour based on lower heating value (€/MWhLHV). Important parameters affecting total cost are amount of available biomass, biomass premium, logistics equipment, biomass moisture content, drying technology, torrefaction mass yield and torrefaction plant capital expenditures (CAPEX).

Pre-treatment

Supply chain

Torrefaction

Logistics

System analysis

Author

Martin Svanberg

Chalmers, Technology Management and Economics, Logistics & Transportation

Olofsson Ingemar

Umeå University

Jonas Flodén

University of Gothenburg

Nordin Anders

Umeå University

Bioresource Technology

0960-8524 (ISSN) 1873-2976 (eISSN)

Vol. 142 August 287-296

Subject Categories

Transport Systems and Logistics

Business Administration

DOI

10.1016/j.biortech.2013.05.048

More information

Latest update

2/27/2018