Energy Cost Reduction and Potential Analysis

of Diesel Engine for Electricity Generation using

Biodiesel from Oil Palm-Rice Husk and Pig Manure
with Biogas Renewable Energy
Chamni Jaipradidtham

Thippawan Phetrak

Dept.of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

Kasem Bundit University, 1761 Pattanakarn Road
Suan Luang, Bangkok, Thailand, 10250
e-mail: j_chamni@hotmail.com

Dept.of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering

Kasem Bundit University, 1761 Pattanakarn Road
Line Suan Luang, Bangkok, Thailand, 10250
e-mail: ph_thi59@gmail.com

AbstractIn this paper, presents analyzed an economics for

energy cost reduction with an assessment of possibility potential
and increases energy efficiency, in using renewable energy from
biogas fuels of the agricultural produce, such as oil palm fiber,
rice husk and scraps of rubber tree, and from the animals dung
of community area for case study: Community Ban Non-Ka, Am.
Si Bun Rueang, Han Na Ngam, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Thailand,
with biogas production technology is dry fermentation. Biogas
fuels has that to change in a small diesel engine is used to produce
for electricity generation gives within the community. The results
of an assessment will see that agricultural wastes and the dung
that have in the community for potential are will enough to bring
to produce the electricity energy, period of project times 3 years,
agricultural wastes has the averages is 836 kilogram/day, can
produce the electricity has about 8,975.24 kW/year and the farm
domesticate animals small-sized that have 160 breeder pigs and
210 pigs respectively, 350 chickens, which can get set up a pond
produces the biogas has 200 m3, from the education meets that
the farms can produce the biogas has about 17,591.55 liter/day,
heat low value to 21 MJ/m3 and modifying energy efficiency that
is collecting in the biogas is the energy cost reduction has 65.8 %.
The farms have potential in electrical generation approximately
4,639.52 kW/year. An assessment of economics cost potential will
meets that can pay back get in period of time is 1 year, 3 month.

reduce energy consumption by using energy saving and most

effective. It will reduce the burden of managing energy and
reduce the impact arising from the risk of power shortages in
the future, which population of the community Ban Non-Ka
will the majority career for agriculture crops. The materials
come from agriculture produce and livestock, such as chicken
manure, pig manure, oil palm fiber, rice husk and scraps of
rubber tree, etc. These biomass, which is a substance used to
make fermented into biogas, can be used as a renewable fuel is
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as well [1].
The purpose of this research to develop the potential using
biogas renewable energy by cost analyzing of the investment.
The cost of the operation and assess the potential economics
of the project from the debris, weeds organic agriculture and
farm animals of the community area led to the production of
electricity for increase efficiency, improvement and develop
of biogas technology, which electricity produced can be used
with diesel engine device. And improve the diesel engine with
the fuels consumption rate of biogas specification has about
18.35 liter/min per 1 kW.
II. THE PRINCIPLE OF BIOGAS TO PRODUCE

KeywordsEnergy cost reduction, diesel engine, biogas fuels,

electricity generation, renewable energy

I. INTRODUCTION

Biogas formed by the decomposition process of organic

matter without oxygen or resulting from the fermentation of
organic material by microorganisms such as bacteria. The
composition of the gas, including Methane (CH4), about 5080%, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) about 30-40%, and the rest is
Hydrogen (H2), Oxygen gas (O2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S),
Nitrogen (N2) and steam [2].

The energy is important factor in requirement foundation

reaction of people and electrical power generation important
factor in business part and the industry. For in Thailand have
not the energy uses inside country to demand that very for a
A. Technology to Produce Electricity from Agriculture Weeds
person, which objective using renewable energy of Thailand
and Animal Manure
within year 2021, will have the encourage give the community
participates in the production and using renewable energy are
It consists of three technology are as follows:
25 % of using all energy. The government encourages to have 1
1. Technology incinerator: for this technology as a way to
electricity production from the energy circulates and present
eliminate waste is compostable organic material that is not
the trend have electricity production in village community, to
recycled.

2. Technology of anaerobic digestion: this technology uses

the principle of a reaction between organic and anaerobic
microorganisms. The result is a gas that is heated enough to be
used as fuel for electricity.
3. Technology to generate electricity from landfill waste or
biodegradable waste: this technology relies on the interaction
of organic matter in the waste with microorganisms. But it is
different in that the landfill will have a better environment for
the biogas less degradation [3].

Fig. 3. Oil palm biomass to produce energy

Rice Husk is waste from the process which causes fibrous

debris out of rice, such as the golden yellow, red, brown rice,
depending on the species. Rice Husk as biomass fuel from rice
mills, and when the rice processing of one ton has energy to
30-60 kWh, to get about 650-700 kg of rice and have materials
left over from the manufacturing process or husk about 220 kg
or equivalent energy 90-125 kWh.

Fig. 1. Pig manure to make biogas fermentation

B. The Potential of the Agricultural Produce and Pig Animal

Manure
Pigs are economic animals as food for human consumption
and the demand is growing steadily as the population of the1.
world. However, pig manure and waste from pigs. This is a
problem for society surrounding farms throughout. Since the
birth of the one pigs to market weight is 100 kg, it will excrete
waste (Feces and urine), the first of about 50 kg (165 days),
which is part of the problem with neighboring communities.
The water is contaminated with waste being released into it.
Therefore, it is necessary to take the waste back those utilized
in agriculture. Using water from pig manure compost is food
for plants, which wastewater pig, urine and food. It was filled
with molasses and microorganisms. The biogas digester dome
fixed of fermentation takes about 30-45 days to fertilizer pig
manure. In this study, a sample of fertilizer in two separate
wells in the area and clarifier sludge fertilizer pig manure. The
use of biogas digester for wastewater treatment of pigs and pig
farm is used for energy production. It includes the following.

Fig. 2. The diagram of the biogas system for wastewater treatment of pigs

Biodiesel is a biofuel that has been made from vegetable

oil or is a diesel fuel that is produced from renewable sources
such as vegetable oils and animal fats mixed with ethanol or
methanol to get the fuel, In addition to the diesel produced
from petroleum. The raw material for biodiesel is including oil
palm. Both in terms of production and marketing is a cost of
production and lower prices than other oils. This production of
biodiesel community is the following:
1. Start by mixing vegetable oil with alcohol gas with the
catalyst at a temperature of about 60 C in 2-3 hours.
2. Pour the oil into a container by separating the floor is
the biodiesel or methyl ester and glycerol.
3. After the hydration of biodiesel to further filter quality
measurements [4].
Biodiesel is a type of vegetable oil or animal fats such as
coconut oil, palm oil directly from rice bran oil, animal fats oil
such as lard, etc. When entering into a diesel engine without
mixing any chemicals or additives. The oil has to be heated at
any point in the past including a fuel oil tank, oil pipeline
corridor. The guidelines in the vegetable oil used directly. In
particular, the use of vegetable oil refining processes that have
not been used. But to use them properly requires heat to smelt.
Animal fat will harden and reduce the viscosity of the oil.

Fig. 4. Biodiesel from biodiesel produce of vegetable oils and animal fats

III. ANALYSIS OF ECONOMICS COST TO ENERGY PRODUCES

A. Electricity Cost Analysis
The production rates of biogas: B p , which depends on the
amount of wastewater that occurs each day, and wastewater
arising from this pig. The water was the stables of pigs can be
calculated of the rate of production of biogas occur [5].

where

P
F
i
n
A

is the money value for now

is the money value of the future
is the interest rate per year
is the adjustment period is needed
is the value of money is equal every year

B. Calculate the Payback Period

B p = Ps Ts Vs BY

(1)

where

The payback period is to measure the return on investment

in a few years it will be paid back. If the payback period is less
to projects that fit the investment can be obtained as follows:

Ps is the amount of wastewater caused by the pig farm

Payback time =

minister = 2,700 kg / d
Ts is the amount of solid wastewater from the pig farm
minister = 8%
Vs is volatile solid in a solid = 80%
The calculation of the rate of biogas production per day:

B p from the total amount of pig manure and wastewater to

generated is approximately 85.9 m3 /d.

The net present value (NPV) is the difference between the

present value of the revenue and expenditure throughout the
project. The net present value is indicative of net benefit will
be for the duration of the project, will based on the present
value of revenues (PVB), and net present value of costs (PVC)
project [5] for the following.

The possible economic assessment to determine the cost of

electricity, can be calculated from (2) are as follows:

CM S
Ei

(5)

C. Calculate the Net Present Value

BY is the biogas yield in volatile solid = 50%

Ce =

Initialinvestment
The average annual net return

(2)

where

C e is cost of Electricity (Baht/kWh)

Ei is electrical energy is produced (kWh/year)
C is the cost of annual investment (Baht/year)
M is the costs of operations and maintenance, when fixed

NPV =

t 1

t 1

Bt Ct

(6)

where

NPV is the net present value of the project

Bt is the return of the year: t
Ct is the cost or the investment of the project in the year: t
t is an annual project of the year at 0, 1, 2, ... n

n is the life of the project (years)

throughout the life of the project (Baht/year).

S is the money value of a year (Baht/year) at the end of
the useful life equal to 10% of investments.

If the value NPV is greater than 0 means the benefits over

the life of the project is more than the cost of the project. The
current thinking is that the project is going to be invested, and
the average energy efficiency.

Electricity cost analysis over the life of the project. There

will be costs incurred during a different time. It must be
adjusted to the time difference between the values at the same
time taking into consideration the following factors.

D. Calculate the Overall Energy Efficiency

1. The money value for now and the money value of the
future, when event is paid only once.
2. Find the money value for now revenue or expenses that
occur each year.
Thus, consider with the following equations are given by

P =

F
(1 i ) n

(3)

An analysis of energy potential will can be calculate to the

overall energy efficiency is that occur using renewable energy
for biogas production. For in this research to increases energy
efficiency in the biogas produces, can be obtained as follows:
- The overall energy efficiency

overall =

Electrical power output

Volumeflow rate Biogas heating value

(7)

- The specific fuel consumption rate: SFCR

and

(1 i ) n 1)
P = A

i (1 i ) n

(4)

SFC =

Vf
Fuel volumeflow rate
=
Electricalpower output
Po

(8)

E. Return on Total Costs (Benefit Cost Ratio)

For calculate the return on total cost (B/C) are comparison
between the current value of the return on the value of current
investments and the costs for the following.
n

B. The Process of Fermentation Biogas

Bt

B/C = t 1
n

(9)

Ct
t 1

In this project, if the B/C ratio greater than 1 means of the

return worth the investment that should be invested, but B/C
ratio will be less than 1 means the return of the project is not
worthwhile with an investment loss.
F. The Yield of The Project (Internal Rate Return: IRR)
The yield of the project refers with the rate of returns on
investment, which is the rate that makes the present value of
the net revenues of the initial investment amount this of the
project. Return on investment is the difference between the
total money values of receipts (B) to the present value of cash
expenditure (C) the rate of interest (k) values as follows:
n

1 kt t
R

= 1

6. Economic evaluation including the energy costs of the

investment. The cost of the operation and reward is the profit.
7. Testing procedures and test methods in practice.
8. Record results, storage results and studies find solutions
to the problems that are expected to occur.

(10)

t 1

when Rt = Bt Ct
IV. OPERATING RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
A. The Testing for Fermentation
This research evaluated the potential of economics cost for
electricity generation in community using renewable energy of
biogas fuel from organic agricultural weeds and animal waste
manure. The researchers have started to study the potential of
the raw materials used fermented into biogas in the year 2016
a month from January to May, which can be shown to concept
idea structure of operating researches shown in Fig. 5. There is
operating step as follows:
1. From the amount from debris, weeds organic agriculture
to be used to produce biogas.
2. Storage data from volume of organic agricultural weeds
on each day. The median duration of the retention period is the
second time that morning and afternoon.
3. Storage of manure that occurs each day, by studying the
behavior of all animals with surveys and checks the number of
animals. Data collected from all animals were weighed to
determine the average amount per animal per one day and pig
manure mixed with sewage.
4. The amount of energy used to produce fuel for biogas
are study the possibility of weeds agriculture and animal dung.
5. There is the understanding to principle stores of the raw
material and the size and shape of bin ferments.

Starting from the wet or dry manure mixed with water, and
then put into the compost bin volume 28% of body using PVC
pipe. The Rams then spread the dung thoroughly. Compost
manure as a feedstock in the tank for about 10-15 days, then
add water to about 70% of the tank, which is located at the
level of the overflow tank, can add scraps, weeds or dung to
produce gas next. In the first few ingredients should be added
to the daily gas consumption of around 1-3 kg, but should not
exceed 4 kg per day, when used infrequently fill can add more,
but not more than 10 kg, when filled with a PVC pipe. Dig up
-make rag weed spread. Digestion to produce biogas takes 24
hours. Gas formed initially to leave before stick to light or
hard. Because there is much carbon dioxide and fermentation
biogas from the tank until the second spot light will can be to
increases energy efficiency in the biogas production.
C. The Test Method for Performance of Diesel Engine
In Test the performance of the electricity generation used
by the biogas and biomass fuels. The engines are used in this
experiment: Shandong Lvhuan, Model No. LHBMG100, when
the engines can work will fuel consumption is the fourth type
Diesel, B20, B50 and B100 respectively, will have to study in
order to understand of engine performance such as efficiency,
torque, power energy, speed and fuel consumption, etc. Then
proceed with the installation of measuring devices and load as
shown in Fig. 7. Test methods begin by gas and air mixture to
the diesel engine inlet stroke and BAME vacuum. (On the air
and gas were flowing through the filter and flow measurement
equipment, while the ratio between air and biogas fuels can be
adjusted using the control valve), when the engine is starting
at idle, after that, the engine is accelerated to 3,000 rpm, which
is the function of the generator. Meanwhile, the exhaust gas
emitted from the engine. Adjust the ratio between gas and air.
The composition of the exhaust gases to reasonable levels.
After that, it will supply power to the load [4].
D. The equipment used for test
For test the performance of the diesel engine to produce
power electricity, this equipment and measuring instruments,
as follows:
1. Diesel Engine: Model No. LHBMG100
2. Generator 2.2 kW 220 V 50 Hz @ 3,000 rpm
3. Electrical Load 20 bulb @ 100 kW
4. Laminar Air Flowmeter (Tech Equipment)
5. Biogas Rota-meter (Dwyer)
6. Biogas-Air Mixing Equipment (BAME)
7. Exhaust gas analyzer (CODA)
8. Tachometer (Suzuki)

Fig. 5. Diagram to concept idea structure of operating researches for electricity generation

V. TEST AND RESEARCH RESULTS

B/C Ratio = 3,377,916.04 = 1.02

3,326,268

A. The Results of Analysis and Evaluation of Economic Cost

Budget investment in power generation projects in the area
of the community. The budget can be divided into three parts:
the investment in the first budget to invest and improve the
quality in biogas produces. The second part of the investment
budget electrification diesel engine and the third is the budget
for other cost. The investment return and biogas can be used to
calculated a payback period, return on total cost (B/C) and net
present value is defined the assumptions. Yield of the project
10 % minimum period and the project time 3 years, operation
to 320 days/year. And the survey data material, the amount of
total weeds debris 836 kg/day, the manure amount is used to
produce a 283.58 kg/day, the potential energy of debris, weeds
and animal manure that can be taken, as a raw material in the
production of biogas through 1,119.58 kg/day. The analysis of
biogas produced in the economic cost compared to the LPG is
171.08 kg/day, will can be compressed packaging sizes 15 kg
on the amount of gas contained in the tank is 0.64 kg to 205
barrels/day, If the price of renewable energy LPG are priced
bucket of 9 Baht makes earning money 1,842.29 Baht/day, so
will yield electricity to 672,43 Baht/year, residue has the after
from the produce biogas is 6,038.95 liters/day, dry residue is
approximately 25.6 % of the volume of waste 1,545.97 kg/day
and was 564,280.75 kg/year, if the sales rate per kg 1 Baht to
have the total waste of money to 564,280.75 Baht/year with
revenue from projects totaling 1,236,715.75 Baht/year from
this data to calculate the economics as shown in Table I and II.
1. The calculation of the net present value (NPV)
NPV = 15,648.04 Baht
2. The return on total costs or Benefit Cost Ratio (B/C) can
be calculated as follows.

3. The payback period time =

1,324,530
= 1 year, 3 month
1,236,715.75

Fig. 6. The engine assembly to the unit generated electricity

B. Test Results of Diesel Engine

When testing the voltage produced by electricity. The
engine is connected to a generator to supply electricity load is
light. By turning a light bulb in increments of one 100 watt
incandescent bulb and adjusting the blend of biogas and fuel
to maintain speed. Keep the engine at 3000 rpm, making gas
emissions caused by burning quite well. Diesel Engine for
LHBMG100 Model is a test similar to the test, the engine oil
that provides the maximum power engine to sorted by
descending a B20, B50, fuel diesel and B100 are 66.5, 62.7,
60.6 and 55.9 kW, respectively. This engine is a high power to

diesel oil perhaps. The machine system is good Turbo-charge

help in filling the air is very fit. The burning is completely
compatible fuel containing biodiesel high as well. The testing
results as shown in Fig. 8-10.

Fig.10. The specific fuel consumption of the engine at torque 280 N-m

Fig. 7. Test Equipment Connection with the engine and load

TABLE I. RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION WITH ENERGY FROM BIOMASS

Types
The average
The amount of
Electrical
of Biomass
amount of weed
electricity
energy
(kg/day)
(kW-hr/year)
(MW/year)
Scraps of rubber
Palm shell
Rice husk
Palm fiber

290
235
121
190

31,025
36,500
12,410
27,375

1.29
1.52
0.517
1.14

Total

836

107,310

4.47

TABLE II. RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT OF ECONOMIC INVESTMENTS

IN ELECTRICITY GENERATION FROM BIOGAS
Year

0
1
2
3
Total

Fig.8. The power of the engine using diesel fuel with speed

Return of an
investment: B
(Baht/year)
0
1,236,715.75
1,236,715.75
1,236,715.75
3,710,147.25

Costs : C
(Baht/year)
1,324,530
748,352
748,352
748,352
3,569,586

Net profit
B-C
(Baht/year)
-1,324,530
498,457.98
498,457.98
498,457.98
170,843.94

NPV
B-C
(Baht)
-1,324,530
491,075.52
436,784.16
412,318.36
15,648.04

VI. CONCLUSIONS
The results showed that the amount of biogas produced
from pig farms smaller. The amount of pig animal manure and
agricultural weeds that occur each day. Biogas can be used as
an alternative fuel for diesel engines, gas oil with a generator to
produce electricity. The results showed that the performance of
the diesel engine efficiency was 59.8% with power generation
system using biogas and biomass as fuel. Maximum power
output is 36 kW or engine power produced by the engine is
reduced with the use of biogas. The specific fuel consumption
rate is 18.35 liter/min per 1 kW, and within a payback period of
1 year, 3 month, increase energy efficiency that is collecting in
the biogas is the energy cost reduction has 65.8 %.
Fig.9. The torque with engine performance using diesel fuel
[3]

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