Solar Powered High-Value Crop Processing and Extraction

4 min read

To estimate the total energy consumption for running the LXJ-300N extraction lab design, I will analyze each piece of equipment listed and make reasonable assumptions about its power usage. Here’s a breakdown of the approach:

Step 1: Identify Equipment and Power Requirements

The sheet includes various components, each potentially using different levels of power. Here’s a summarized list with initial assumptions for power requirements:

  1. JBC-60L Storage Tank (Insulated & Jacketed): Low power requirement. Estimated at 0.5 kW for temperature control.
  2. CG-120L Storage Tank (Single Layer Stainless Steel): Negligible power.
  3. PDP-3-25 Pneumatic Diaphragm Transfer Pumps (3 units): Estimated at 0.1 kW each for transfer operations.
  4. DLH-80-3P Cryo Chiller: Estimated at 3.5 kW for cooling ethanol.
  5. LXJ-300N Centrifuge: Rated at 12.4 kW.
  6. DLH-80-1P5 Cryo Chiller (Connected to Centrifuge): Estimated at 5.1 kW.
  7. BC-60L Storage Tank: Minimal power requirement.
  8. BF-50S Buchner Filter: Estimated at 0.5 kW.

Step 2: Calculate the Total Power Requirement

Summing the power requirements gives the total estimated power usage:

  • Storage Tanks (combined): 0.5 kW.
  • Transfer Pumps: 0.3 kW (3 pumps at 0.1 kW each).
  • Cryo Chillers: 3.5 + 5.1 = 8.6 kW.
  • Centrifuge: 12.4 kW.
  • Buchner Filter: 0.5 kW.

Total power requirement: 0.5 + 0.3 + 8.6 + 12.4 + 0.5 = 22.3 kW.

Step 3: Calculate Daily Energy Usage

The system runs for 16 hours/day:

  • Daily consumption = 22.3 kW × 16 hours = 356.8 kWh.

Step 4: Annual Energy Estimate with Downtime Consideration

To account for downtime due to cleaning, repairs, and unforeseen events, a reasonable operational period is 300 days/year.

Final Annual Energy Estimate

Annual energy consumption: 356.8 kWh × 300 days = 107,040 kWh/year.

Recommendations:

  • 300 operational days/year is a realistic estimate, leaving about 65 days for maintenance and unexpected downtime. This includes periodic cleaning, repairs, or any other unforeseen operational halts.

These estimates are based on standard power consumption for similar equipment. ​​

To operate the LXJ-300N extraction lab system off-grid using a solar energy system and battery energy storage system (ESS), we need to design a system that accounts for daily energy consumption, energy losses, and ensures continuous operation during periods without sunlight (nighttime and cloudy days). Here’s the process:

Step 1: Calculate Total Daily Energy Requirement

  • Daily energy consumption: 356.8 kWh.

Step 2: Estimate Solar System Size

Assuming an average of 5 peak sun hours per day (typical for many sunny locations), we can determine the necessary solar array size:

  • Required solar power output = Total daily energy consumption / Peak sun hours 356.8 kWh/5 hours=71.36 kW356.8 \text{ kWh} / 5 \text{ hours} = 71.36 \text{ kW}356.8 kWh/5 hours=71.36 kW

To account for system inefficiencies (solar panel losses, inverter efficiency, dust, temperature effects, etc.), we’ll add a 25% buffer:

  • Adjusted solar system size = 71.36 kW×1.25=89.2 kW71.36 \text{ kW} \times 1.25 = 89.2 \text{ kW}71.36 kW×1.25=89.2 kW.

Thus, a 90 kW solar array would be a suitable choice.

Step 3: Battery Energy Storage Sizing

To ensure continuous operation, we need sufficient battery storage for nighttime usage and cloudy days. Assuming we want 16 hours of storage capacity to cover non-sunlight hours:

  • Energy storage requirement = 22.3 kW × 16 hours = 356.8 kWh.

To add a safety margin for cloudy days, consider adding a 50% buffer:

  • Total storage requirement = 356.8 kWh × 1.5 = 535.2 kWh.

Thus, a 550 kWh battery energy storage system (ESS) is recommended.

Step 4: System Summary

  1. Solar Array Size: 90 kW.
  2. Battery Energy Storage System: 550 kWh.

Additional Considerations

  • Inverters and Charge Controllers: The system will need appropriately sized inverters (about 100 kW) and charge controllers to manage energy flow.
  • Backup Generator: Including a small generator for emergency situations (e.g., extended cloudy periods) could provide extra reliability.

This setup will ensure sufficient power generation and storage to operate the system off-grid while accounting for typical inefficiencies and contingencies.

To estimate the annual greenhouse gas emissions offset by using a solar-powered system in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, we’ll calculate the avoided CO2 emissions from displacing grid electricity with solar energy.

Step 1: Determine the Emission Factor for Thailand’s Grid

  • According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the emission factor for Thailand’s electricity grid is approximately 0.55 kg CO2e per kWh. This means that for each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated by the grid, about 0.55 kg of CO2e is emitted.

Step 2: Calculate the Total Annual Energy Production

  • From the previous analysis, the system will consume about 107,040 kWh per year.

Step 3: Calculate the Annual Emissions Offset

  • Annual CO2e offset = Total annual energy consumption × Grid emission factor 107,040 kWh×0.55 kg CO2e/kWh=58,872 kg CO2e107,040 \text{ kWh} \times 0.55 \text{ kg CO2e/kWh} = 58,872 \text{ kg CO2e}107,040 kWh×0.55 kg CO2e/kWh=58,872 kg CO2e

Step 4: Convert kg CO2e to Metric Tons (MTCO2e)

  • 1 metric ton (MT) = 1,000 kg, so: 58,872 kg CO2e/1,000=58.87 MTCO2e58,872 \text{ kg CO2e} / 1,000 = 58.87 \text{ MTCO2e}58,872 kg CO2e/1,000=58.87 MTCO2e

Assumptions:

  1. The emission factor of 0.55 kg CO2e/kWh is used as an average for Thailand’s current energy mix.
  2. The solar system operates effectively throughout the year, displacing an equivalent amount of grid electricity.
  3. Energy production losses due to weather conditions, maintenance, or system downtime are not included in this estimate.

Conclusion:

Operating the LXJ-300N system off-grid in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, would offset approximately 58.87 MTCO2e annually by replacing the equivalent grid electricity with solar energy.

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