Análise de possíveis cenários para utilização de biogás em um frigorífico

Abstract

The use of biogas in an installation can make it energy independent, as it is a gas with high energy potential, is a renewable source of energy and represents an excellent economic and environmental alternative. This work evaluated possible scenarios for the use of biogas in a swine slaughterhouse, providing different solutions for the use of this highly valued energy input. The scenarios envisioned were: evaluation of the implementation of a biogas combustion system to replace boiler firewood; use of biogas for electricity generation for internal use; and sale of biogas to consumer companies in the market. Using biogas in the boiler can reduce costs and reduce ergonomic risks for the operator. In addition, it was the most attractive option, from an economic point of view, due to the shorter term for recovery invested capital (2.94 years), among the three scenarios evaluated. The use of biogas for electricity generation for internal use has shown that it is possible to improve the availability of electricity in the plant through biogas by acquiring a new generator set. Selling biogas to an outside company for use as a fuel or for producing biomethane may be a good alternative because of the good quality and quantity of biogas generated in the plant. However, this scenario resulted in a longer return on invested capital among the three scenarios assessed (6.45 years). Because the facility's power generation potential exceeds the predicted power consumption by 17.7% in the first two scenarios, it is possible to work with both simultaneously. The financial analysis of this option showed a discounted payback of 3.6 years, being in an intermediate position between the periods of the first and second scenarios.