Project management terms and concepts

Gretel Seymour

Post University

07/11/2021

An overview of the project on production of energy from sugarcane waste products

In the 21st century there is a rapid increase in energy demand due to economic growth, rapid population increase and high technological advancement fostered by the race towards industrial revolution in developing countries in vision 2030 where they are aiming shifting from being exporters of raw materials to manufacturing sector. This has led to over exploitation of the scarcely available energy resources especially fossil fuels to produce energy so as to the raising demand with time these energy resources such as natural gas, petroleum and coal are depleting since they don’t regenerate to meet the rate of exploitation. In addition, most of the energy resources used are impacting negatively on the environment through dumping of waste as well as pollution of the ecosystem through release of greenhouse gases.

To curb the menace, engineers around the world besides other scholars have been working in collaboration to try alternative sources of energy while conserving the natural environment and its aesthetic value. One of the solutions, engineers have designed various plants to produce energy from products which come from various economic activities such as agriculture. These includes using waste from sugarcane to generate electric power for various uses while conserving the environmental surrounding. As human beings we should transform nature to the benefits of mankind while conserving what surrounds our environment.

Project qualification and objectives

Energy is the core requirements for all the economic activities in a country. All sectors of the country’s economic progress depend on energy. For example, the production and manufacturing sector is purely dependent on energy. The manufacturing sector is the back bone of a country since it houses all necessities such as food, clothing and all finished good that a country uses. Energy consumption therefore control the prices of all commodities that are produced in a country. Therefore, a fundamental need arises to produce energy at reasonable cost if not the lowest. In further analysis, the existing forms of energy are relatively expensive in considerate to the methods that they are using to produce energy. For example, thermal stations use fossil fuels to produce energy which are very expensive to operate and run. In support of the above project, it qualifies since it will reduce the cost of buying energy from suppliers through producing energy from waste resources. On the other hand, it will help to conserve the using all bio gradable waste to produce energy than rather disposing them to the environment. This will improve the aesthetic value of the ecosystem. In addition, it will reduce pollution caused by other form of energy producers such as fossil fuels.

The core objectives of this project are to reduce the cost incurred in buying energy from existing producers by producing own energy from agricultural wastes such as sugarcane wastes. Secondly, the project is centered to utilize waste products than rather disposing them to the environment leading to pollution. Lastly, it is meant to reduce the production of energy from convectional sources such as fossil fuels that are depleting every day.

Roles of Project’s manager and sponsors’

In this project, the manager is expected to conduct the daily progress of the project and actual resource planning. He or she must actual plan how the available resources will be used optimal with less wastage. The manager is expected to come up with a cost estimate of the project and submit a reasonable budget to the sponsors of the project. For example, the actual selection of boilers, steam turbines heat exchangers, condensers, cables and pipes and their cost must be outlined by the managers. lastly, the manager is expected to monitor the progress of the project, analyze and come up with ways of managing the possible risks that may arise from the project. The major role of the project’s sponsors is to provide all the financial support to cater for the proposed budget until the project is complete.

Project’s scope

Sizing of the equipment for energy production

For the production of a higher amount of electricity, efficient and powerful should be used. The power factor for the machines used are; Turbine 6500kw, Boiler 8000kw, Condenser 6000kw, Generator 9000kw. The equipment mentioned above produce an optimum power that drives all the machines in power generation. The efficiencies and suitability of equipment vary from one manufacturer to another, the international standards should observe in order to generate high amount of electricity. Maximum power is produced when equipment’s of higher efficiencies are used. Thus, the electric power generated is enough to serve the grid.

Materials and methods of electricity generation

The materials to be used for electricity generation includes; Dry sugarcane waste such as leaves, stems and roots, Boilers, Water, Steam turbines, Generator, Condenser, Pipes and Cables. The set up consist of one boiler, water tank, steam turbine and a generator. The boiler is insulated well to prevent heat loss. The water tank is connected to the boiler to supply it with water. A pipe connects the boiler to the steam turbine. The set up should ensure sufficient supply of oxygen to ensure complete combustion of sugarcane waste and trash. Sugarcane waste from farm is first dried well and mostly by the use of sun drying method which is the cheapest mean. This will make the trash burn with ease. The dry trash from the sugarcane farm is used to heat water in the boiler. Complete combustion of the sugarcane trash provides sufficient heat that heats water in the boiler. The heated water at high temperature produces superheated steam.

The superheated steam is passed through a pipe under high pressure to the turbines. This steam, since it is at high pressure turns the turbines. The turbine activates the generator which in turn generates electricity. The electricity produced can be used locally and the excess connected to the grid. After the steam has passed through the turbines, it is the condensed to form water. The water formed from the condensation is taken to the tank which supplies the boiler with water for heating. This water circulation enhances water conservation.

Project’s risks

Combustion of the sugarcane trash results in production of flue gases. These gases include carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide production can be prevented by ensuring complete combustion of sugarcane trash. This occurs when the oxygen supply in the process is sufficient. In the boiler after combustion of sugarcane trash there are ashes left behind. This ash can be collected and disposed in the farms to aid in calcium addition to the soil. This project can be proposed since the number of risks that arises are minimal and their possible solutions are simple and economical.

Project outcomes

The generation of electricity through this process is very efficient and good since it reduces the environmental pollution due to dumping of sugarcane waste in the farm which just decay and has no profit to the farmers. So, through this process the farmers can generate their own electricity from the waste materials such as trash they produce from the farm. After burning the trash, the ash is taken to the farm to increase calcium to the land hence boosting the crops growth. This is just a cycle where the farmer uses the same electricity produced to warm animal houses, boil water for washing animals, milking and also doing other works in the farm. The electricity is also used to pumping water to the farm.

References

Sahu, O. (2018). Assessment of sugarcane industry: Suitability for production, consumption, and utilization. Annals of Agrarian Science, 16(4), 389-395.