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PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

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If it is the last timestep <strong>of</strong> the process, the amount <strong>of</strong> biodiesel made is added to<br />

the production pr<strong>of</strong>ile for that timestep. The partial production factor is applied<br />

as necessary, and the amount <strong>of</strong> biodiesel produced, in litres, is translated into a<br />

production rate (litres/hr) by multiplying it by the number <strong>of</strong> timesteps per hour.<br />

The process is then free to start again provided there is enough oil available.<br />

If a number <strong>of</strong> batches per day with a starting time have been specified, the<br />

batch can only be started after a given time each day, if no batch production is<br />

currently in progress, and if the maximum number <strong>of</strong> batches allowed each day<br />

has not been exceeded. Otherwise, the procedure outlined above is followed.<br />

The outputs <strong>of</strong> the batch process simulation are the same as for the continuous<br />

process described in Section 6.3.2.<br />

6.3.4 Use <strong>of</strong> Crop Residue<br />

If energy crops are used, a certain amount <strong>of</strong> crop residue, left over after oil<br />

extraction, will be available. This may be used as cattle feed, sent to an<br />

anaerobic digester or gasifier, or burned directly to produce heat and/or<br />

electricity, depending on the residue type, and other system requirements. The<br />

amount <strong>of</strong> residue made is calculated using Equation 6.3, with the yield being<br />

the crop residue (kg/ha), and this is made available at the last timestep <strong>of</strong> every<br />

day during the harvest season.<br />

If the crop residue is to be made available for use in boilers, engines or turbines,<br />

a temporal production rate graph for a specified “other” category <strong>of</strong> fuel is<br />

produced. If the anaerobic digestion or gasification process is to be used, the<br />

feedstock availability for these processes is defined by the production <strong>of</strong> the<br />

crop residue, which is made available at the last timestep <strong>of</strong> each day. This<br />

feedstock is used immediately for the digestion process, or may be added to a<br />

store, for use at any time, for the gasification process. This can be done because<br />

the type <strong>of</strong> residue suitable for gasification will be much drier than that suitable<br />

for anaerobic digestion, and therefore will not suffer from the problem <strong>of</strong><br />

degradation if stored properly.<br />

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