Design and cost-benefit analysis of a novel anaerobic industrial bioenergy plant in Pakistan

• A fixed dome anaerobic bioenergy plant was developed.
• The novel design involves interconnected multi-digesters, with microwave enhancement and CHP concept.
• Annual average productions were recorded, being 118,656 m³ of biogas and 142,380 kWh of electricity.
• Financial indicators (NPV, IRR and C/B ratio) prove the viability of the process.

The design and Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of a novel anaerobic bioenergy plant is presented. This plant can digest various feed sources including animal-manure, vegetable-fruit wastes, poultry wastes, sugar molasses etc. The fixed dome multi-digestor system enables a continuous feed and flow mechanism. It is also equipped with a biogas purification, compression and storage system. This medium scale bioenergy plant is the first of its kind in Pakistan. It has a total installation cost of US$105,000 and annual operation and maintenance cost of US$23,400. The average energy production is 142,380 kWh per annum. With a current average energy cost of US$0.315 per kWh from all sources in Pakistan, the cost-benefit ratio is 1.2 at an internal rate of return (IRR) of 19.76%, and short payback period.