Techno-economic analysis of a biological desulfurization process for a landfill gas in Korea

ABSTRACT

We report techno-economic analysis of a biological desulfurization process to remove H₂S and to produce sulfur from a landfill gas (2000 m³ h⁻¹) produced in Korea. With a process simulation model developed using Aspen Plus®, parametric assessment to determine the effect of various operating parameters such as a NaOH flow rate, a NaOH concentration, and a recycle ratio has been carried out. Based on results from process simulation, economic analysis was conducted to evaluate feasibility of this technology in Korea through a cash flow diagram, net present value (NPV), and discounted payback period (DPBP). It was demonstrated that DPBP of 6.9 years and NPV of 0.39 MM$ were obtained with a 10% discount rate.

KEYWORDS:

• Landfill gas
• desulfurization
• process simulation
• techno-economic analysis
• cash flow diagram

Nomenclature

LFG	=	Land fill gas
SCOT	=	Shell Claus off-gas treating
APEA	=	Aspen process economic analyzer
CFD	=	Cash flow diagram
DPBP	=	Discounted payback period
NPV	=	Net present value
PVR	=	Present value ratio
PFD	=	Process flow diagram
CEPCI	=	Chemical engineering plant cost index
WCI	=	Working capital investment
FCI	=	Fixed capital cost
MACRS	=	Modified accelerated cost recovery system
DDB	=	Double declining balance depreciation method
SL	=	Straight-line depreciation method
S	=	Salvation
KOGAS	=	Korea Gas Corporation

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the R&D Center for reduction of Non-CO2 Greenhouse gases [Grant Number 2016001690001]; and Human Resources Program in Energy Technology [Grant Number 20174010201330].