Modeling the Profitability of Organic Fermentation

Ongoing research in major alternative energy sources has indicated that solar, wind, and hydro energy are the most effective candidates to secure a greener future. However, due to the time and money it takes to develop this infrastructure, there is a gap in transitional energy sources which can slow climate change in the meantime. This study details the development of a model to predict the economic feasibility of an anaerobic digester. The model aims to act as an accessible tool for other university campuses, farmers, organizations, and activists to gauge the viability of developing an anaerobic digester in their area. The model consists of two main components: A simulation made in the chemical engineering software, Aspen Plus, and a supplemental web-based calculator that will refine the economic results outputted from the Aspen simulation and allow the public to access these results. Feedstock composition and flow rate were varied and trends in the responding economics of the process were observed to develop formulas that represent their relationship. The formulas were then incorporated into the second supplementary calculator component which also takes factors indirectly related to the anaerobic digester into account, such as renewable energy credits, the price of electricity in the area, annual taxes, etc. As a product, it is expected that this project will become an easily accessible tool for users to determine if the construction of an anaerobic digester is right for their community.