Economic feasibility of biogas production in swine farms using time series analysis

Viabilidade econômica da produção de biogás em granjas de suínos, por meio da análise de séries temporais

ABSTRACT:

This study aimed to measure the economic feasibility and the time needed to return capital invested for the installation of a swine manure treatment system, these values originated the sale of carbon credits and/or of compensation of electric energy in swine farms, using the Box-Jenkins forecast models. It was found that the use of biogas is a viable option in a large scale with machines that operate daily for 10h or more, being the return period between 70 to 80 months. Time series analysis models are important to anticipate the series under study behavior, providing the swine breeder/investor means to reduce the financial investment risk as well as helping to decrease the production costs. Moreover, this process can be seen as another source of income and enable the breeder to be self-sufficient in the continuous supply of electric energy, which is very valuable nowadays considering that breeders are now increasingly using various technologies.

Key words:
biodigestors; biogas; renewable energy; income; time series.

RESUMO:

Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo mostrar a viabilidade econômica e o tempo necessário de retorno do capital investido para a instalação de um sistema de tratamento de dejetos suínos, valores estes originados da venda de créditos de carbono e/ou de compensação de energia elétrica em granjas de suínos, utilizando os modelos de previsão de Box e Jenkins. Identificou-se que é viável a utilização do biogás em uma escala de produção com um funcionamento diário dos equipamentos de 10 horas ou mais e o período de retorno entre 70 a 80 meses. O uso de modelos de previsão de séries temporais foi importante, pois antecipou o comportamento da série em estudo, fornecendo ao suinocultor/investidor subsídios para que o investimento seja feito de modo a reduzir o risco, nos aspectos financeiros e na redução dos custos de produção, bem como possibilitando uma outra fonte de renda e a autonomia no fornecimento de energia elétrica ininterruptamente, o que é necessário nos sistemas de criação cada vez mais tecnificados.

Palavras-chave:
biodigestores; biogás; energia renovável; renda; séries temporais.

INTRODUCTION:

In order to reduce emissions of gases causing the greenhouse effect, one measure is to offer some kind of incentives to countries that reduce the emission of the most polluting gases such as methane. This new business opportunity in the international market, which is the commercialization of carbon credits, help to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, which came up with the signing of the Kyoto Protocol in 1997.

Methane gas is closely linked to the increase in agricultural output of high performance, especially in swine breeding, where there is an increase of waste and pollutants, which should be treated in an environmental-friendly manner. In particular, the West region of Paraná, is abreast of technological advancements and is dedicated to the swine productive chain, partially due to the mild climate. According to CIRAM/EPAGRI (2007), swine manure comprises methane producing biogas, part fuel, (60-70%), carbon dioxide (40-30%), hydrogen sulfide (traces), and compound-derived materials that undergo anaerobic fermentation.

Biogas can be produced using a waste treatment system in anaerobic format. Methane is also the raw material for the production of electric energy and the key to obtain carbon credits. Indeed, maintaining adequate waste treatment in an environmental-friendly and sustainable manner is crucial for the success of this project.

To assist the swine producer in the production of biogas, this research seeks to support its decision on the feasibility and the return period, on the implementation of the swine manure treatment system. In this manner is provided a better understanding of this new economic activity, because carbon credit market and the production of electricity, from the treatment of swine waste is recent and emerging in Brazil.

This study aimed to demonstrate the economic feasibility and the required time to return the capital invested for building a swine waste treatment system. Such a framework has its origins in the sale of carbon credits and/or of compensation of electric energy in swine farms, through the application the Box-Jenkins forecasting models.

In addition, using the forecast models, we intend to quantify the monetary value that is possible to generate through rational use of biogas in rural holdings. It was also evaluated the economic feasibility of the project with the return obtained the kidnapping of carbon dioxide and electricity energy generation. This motivates swine breeders to obtain greater profits while simultaneously caring for the environment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The information in this study were drawn from the BioGas Burning of System Sadia (SQBS), from breeder and swine finishing farms of approximately 600 swine producers, located in Toledo, PR. The period comprised June 01, 2010 to September 30, 2012, totaling 820 days, and 164 samples, being each sample of 5 days, subsequently divided by 5, thus obtaining the per capita daily average per animal.

The goal was to determine the best method linear Integrated autoregressive general class and moving average (ARIMA) according to BOX et al. (1994), MAKRIDAKIS et al. (1998), GUJARATI (2000), MORETTIN & TOLOI (2004), MORETTIN (2008), to fit and forecast biogas production per capita per animal in the reproducer class and finishing farm, demonstrating the economic feasibility of building an anaerobic swine waste treatment system and the generation of electric energy and/or carbon credits. Knowing the future values of these variables it will enable the study of the economic feasibility of building an anaerobic swine waste treatment system and the generation of electric energy and/or carbon credits.

Initially, it was analyze the stability series by using autocorrelation and partial autocorrelation functions, jointly with Ljung-Box test. Therefore, in addition to observing the stationary nature of the series, it provided possible identification of autoregressive integrated moving average filters (ARIMA) (p,d,q) model. Generically, a {x _t,tZ} process that is not stationary follows an ARIMA (p,d,q) MARCHEZAN and SOUZA (2010) process according to equation Φ(B)Δ^dX_t = θ(B)e_t (2.1), where B is backward operator, d represents the order of integration, Φ is the autoregressive term given by the order p, θ is the weight moving average parameter represented by order q, and e_t that is the white noise series with characteristics with zero mean and constant variance.

The proposed model had the parameters estimated Ordinary Least Squares method.

The best model will be choosed Akaike's Information Criteria (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criteria (BIC) criteria, which are known to "penalize" because they consider the number of estimated parameters.

AIC = T 1n(SQR)+2n (2.2)

BIC = T 1n(SQR)+n1n(T) (2.3)

where T is the sample size, SQR is the sum of the square of the residues, and n is the number of parameters.

After chosen the best models by AIC and BIC criteria, the forecast criteria are used, which are measures for evaluating forecast errors, we used the root mean square error (RMSE), median absolute percentage error (MAPE), and U-Theil statistics, as shown in the equations 2.4, 2.5, and 2.6, respectively.

2.4

2.5

where n corresponds to the number of forecasts performed, x_i represents the real value in instant i, and represents the predicted value instant i.

According to AMORIM JÚNIOR et al. (2004), the U-Theil statistic indicates that the lower the number, the better the forecast, calculated according to equation 2.6.

2.6

where N is the number of sample observations, x_i is the value of the variables in study in instant i, x_i-1 is the value of the variable in study in instant i-1, and is the value estimated by the model for the instant i.

Once the adjustment process of the ARIMA models and its forecasts are completed, the variable future behavior under study is forecasted, where you can provide the producer/investor to verify their capacity to enable the financial return on investment realized.

It starts then to budget costs and economic feasibility of implementation of the waste treatment system and energy production and/ or carbon credits. In this phase, it is necessary to estimate the implementation costs of the waste treatment system and maintenance of the producers' equipment.

With the future values forecast by the adjusted models, it is possible to define a minimum number of swine per farm such that system implementation is economically viable and assures the return of investments and will also mitigate harmful effects to the environment.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Swine raising in the city of Toledo, PR, at the end of 2012, had 28,500 matrix farm and with 500,000 swine lodging vacancies finishing farm. According to MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF SUINOCULTORES (AMST, 2013), around 1,650,000 hogs are slaughtered annually.

For the variable "Swine Matrix Farm", it was noticed that the series has high and low fluctuations in the biogas production, but were stationary, showing no upward or downward trends. The estimated model was an ARIMA (1,0,0) with constant, being all coefficients significant at 5% level. Among competing models for the daily variable of biogas per capita production measured in m³/reproducer, the autoregressive model AR (1) provided residues with white noise characteristics that were non auto correlated, showing the adequacy of the model found.

For the variable "Swine Finishing Farm", it was noted that the series has fluctuations around the mean, but it was stationary in relation to biogas production. An AR (1) model with constant was estimated and elected as the best model. For both variables, models presented the best values to AIC and BIC for model adjustments statistics, and best values to MAPE, RMSA, and U-Theil for forecast statistics.

The choice of econometric models ARIMA (p, d, q), is due to the fact the observations were auto correlated and there was records available useful to be fitted only by time series, represented by methane volume of gas produced in m³. Another motive to use time series analysis is that there was no records of other explanatory covariates to investigate other representative models.

To calculate the size of the anaerobic reactors (biodigestors), it was used the volume of waste in m³/animal/day for a minimum detention period of 30 days, which is a prerequisite for the validation of carbon credits. In this study, a security volume for 40 days was collected and the parameter was utilized by the BRF.

The financial reference values used in this research are the biodigester costs involving the values: of the lower mantle (R$ 15.00m²), upper mantle (R$ 25.00m²), and labor (variable). As shown in the table 1 - Composition of the biogas system, period for return on investment used to generate eletric energy only and used to sell carbon credits, and generate eletric energy - given that the total cost for the matrix farm of 200, 500, and 750 animals and that for the finishing farm of 1,000, 2,500, and 5,000 animals, in agreement with the Sadia Institute - BRF (12/2013).

Table 1
Composition of the biogas system, period for return on investment used to generate eletric energy only and used to sell carbon credits, and generate eletric energy.

• Fontes: ¹Biogás - Stationary Engines Ltda. Toledo - PR. ²Sadia Institute -BRF

Regarding the production of electric energy, the company BIOGÁS MOTOR LTDA., adapted from the CCE (2000), considered that 0.56kg of manure waste produces 1m³ of biogas. EMPRESAS FOCKING; BRANCO MOTOR (2009) considered that 1m³ of biogas generates 1.8kWh, CCE (2000) 6.73kWh, and NOGUEIRA (1986) 1.43kWh. This study used the latter since it contained more conservative values.

Monetary values equivalent to 1m³ of biogas for gasoline, diesel oil, firewood, electric energy, and liquefied petroleum gas, vary from R$ 0.16 to R$ 1.80 depending on the demands and supply of the market. Among the equivalent value of biogas of R$ 0.425, R$ 0.068 are from carbon credits and R$ 0.357 from electric energy.

The values for the production of eletric energy, and biogas consumption maintain a certain proportionality, are shown in the table 1, where the motor power (CV), biogas consumption (m³ h^-1), output (kWh), and generator cost (R$). One should also consider the fixed costs of the burner (R$ 20,000.00) and the command control device (R$ 5,000.00).

The predicted values for biogas production (m³) per capita per matrix and finished animal, are shown in the table 2 - Forecast of production of biogas per capita for the variables matrix and termination - resulted from the estimated model. These forecasts will be used in the calculation of economic feasibility, so that the producer/investor will have an assurance of at least seven periods in the future, which is equivalent to provide a guarantee of the biogas production. In this manner, we showed the production level and confirm its stability in future.

Table 2
Forecast of production of biogas per capita for the variables matrix and termination.

• Fonte: Data fitted from the BioGas Burning of System Sadia (SQBS) matrix and termination farms from BRF.

Considering the values for the totality of the herd for the town of Toledo, PR, the volume of the electric energy obtained would generate a monthly amount of R$ 439,830.67. If it is added this amount to that obtained by the carbon credit (R$ 126,777.99), a considerable amount is obtained.

An important aspect to be consider is that the maintenance cost of the biodigestor is very low and should be done each 5,000h with a cost approximately 25% of the joint cost of a new generator. These costs were find considering period of financial return. It was used data from a farm matrix with 200 animals and a finishing farm with 1,000 animals, because it was from this collection that the data were measured and fitted.

To estimate the biodigestor size for 40 days and for 80 days of storage, it was used the volume of manure and urine. To calculate the number of months for return on the investment, according to FAZ A CONTA (2013), a rate 6% of return per year was used.

It was used two hypotheses for calculating economic feasibility, as shown in table 1, a generator system with burner (electric energy and carbon credits), and a generator system electric energy. The first system became viable in 78 months, and the second in 68 months, with farms from 500 matrix or 1,000 finished animals, and a daily minimum operation for 10h, showing gains in scale.

In one scenario, cited by ROCKENBACH (2014), reported that the monthly cost of electric energy per adult animal in the farm was around R$ 2.00. Therefore, 500 animals resulted in R$ 1,000.00, an amount considered enough to cover the monthly costs to offset the initial investment.

Another example is the existence of hundreds of broiler houses, isolated or in batteries, with a capacity of around 16,000 chickens. Each aviary spends around R$ 600.00 for electric energy, R$ 100.00 for the residence, and R$ 400.00 in wood for bird heating. For the energy production for this aviary, it was required swine farm with about 500 swine matrix or 1,250 swine finished, that will generate a monthly return of investment of around R$ 1,100.00.

Analyzing the complete project of carbon credit returns and the generation of electric energy where the biogas volume actually is measured, the forecast of return on energy shows values that are feasible and close to reality. However, considering that the cost of electricity outside the rural environment are larger and if there is compensation in urban residential or business or industry, the investment return will be in a shorter period.

This is another source that will increase agriculture producers' income or decrease the production costs, especially with the entrance into e of the ANEEL Regulatory Directive 482/2012.

The auto energy production by the agricultures will reduce impacts of power outages caused by climatic factors or accidents in the electric system in a country where the energy is transmited for long distances. Other benefits brought by this sources of clean electric energy is that it is being introduced into the national energy matrix. Studies and substantial investments such as solar and wind energy has been developed and implemented and biogas energy will compound the Brazilian energy matrix in the near future.

CONCLUSION:

The goal of this research was to assist pig farmers in decision-making in the biodigester facility reached through ARIMA modeling, enabling the future of knowledge production behavior in m³ per capita biogas a horizon of seven steps a head. In this framework, the swine wastes are no longer the villains pollution and begin to generate financial gains, through the generation of electricity and/or carbon credits.

Producers, aware of their abilities to produce biogas, will have alternative to consuming the surplus of electric energy, producing a biointegrated system on a single property, a concern presented at the conclusion of the studies of CERVI et al. (2010).

The Box-Jenkins models fitted to swine farm matrix and finishing, were an order autoregressive model of order 1 - AR (1), showing that production is highly dependent on the previous day. In matrix farm this dependency is on the order of 0.47987 and the termination farm is on the order of 0.79683, were both farms have an average production per capita stable, represented by the mean significance in the estimated models.

The use of biogas in farms using generators that function on a daily basis for 10h is viable, with return on investment around 70 to 80 months. This can be achieved by producing only electric energy or combined with carbon credits. The daily forecast per capita output of biogas is stable, relaying confidence in volumes for the matrix and finishing farm.

Thus it is shown to be feasible implement the project and the period for economic return, with the aim of analyzing the economic viability of the project and the time necessary to generate an economic return. In turn, reducing the risk swine breeder and increased self-sufficiency.

According to BRONDANI (2010), significant expansion is prevented only due to the high costs of project implementation and due to the absence of specialists for providing support for the swine breeders to clarify costs and benefits, implementation process, and maintenance procedures, being the negative aspects ascertained.

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  CR-2014-1848.R1

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  30 Apr 2016
• Date of issue
  2016

History

• Received
  20 Dec 2014
• Accepted
  07 Feb 2016
• Reviewed
  13 Apr 2016