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Modeling the Feasibility of Using Solar Thermal Systems for Meeting the Heating Requirements at Corn Ethanol Production Facilities
Joint Authors
Ehrke, Elizabeth
Reisel, John R.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2018, Issue 2018 (31 Dec. 2018), pp.1-13, 13 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2018-09-19
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
13
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
While ethanol use as a vehicle fuel has been promoted as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, current production methods of ethanol from corn feedstock rely heavily on the combustion of nonrenewable fuels such as natural gas.
Solar thermal systems can provide a renewable energy source for supplying some of the heat required ethanol production.
In this paper, a model to analyze the feasibility of using solar thermal energy to reduce natural gas consumption in ethanol production is described and applied.
Sites of current ethanol production facilities are used to provide a realistic analysis of the economic feasibility of using solar thermal energy in the ethanol production process.
The results show that it is not reasonable to expect to replace all of the natural gas consumption in the heating processes in ethanol production but that application of solar thermal energy can be applied to a specific subsystem such as the preheating of boiler makeup water.
Profitability of systems for replacing a fraction of the natural gas is analyzed.
It is found that both location and local natural gas prices are important in determining whether to pursue such a project and that solar thermal systems should have long-term profitability.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Ehrke, Elizabeth& Reisel, John R.. 2018. Modeling the Feasibility of Using Solar Thermal Systems for Meeting the Heating Requirements at Corn Ethanol Production Facilities. Journal of Energy،Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1184622
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Ehrke, Elizabeth& Reisel, John R.. Modeling the Feasibility of Using Solar Thermal Systems for Meeting the Heating Requirements at Corn Ethanol Production Facilities. Journal of Energy No. 2018 (2018), pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1184622
American Medical Association (AMA)
Ehrke, Elizabeth& Reisel, John R.. Modeling the Feasibility of Using Solar Thermal Systems for Meeting the Heating Requirements at Corn Ethanol Production Facilities. Journal of Energy. 2018. Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1184622
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1184622