TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT TO INCREASE THE STEAM PARAMETERS IN CUBAN SUGAR MILLS

Abstract

Based on the international trend to increase steam parameters at cogeneration plants in sugar mills, this paper presents the results of a techno-economic assessment of rising steam parameters to 6,7 MPa/ 520 °C and 10 MPa/ 540 °C, at Cuban sugar mills. The assessment analyzes the economic effect at the sugar company level and the country level. It results that under the initial modeling conditions there is not enough incentive for the sugar company to invest in rising parameters at cogeneration plants due to poor return indicators. Then the study looks for the initial investment parameters that would turn it attractive to the company. Rising steam parameters and consequently the efficiency and energy production is always good for the country due to the lower bagasse based power generation cost and price paid for it.