An Economic Model of Future Coal/Densified Refuse-Derived Fuel Use at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Abstract
The use of alternate fuels in heating and power plants is one activity supporting Air Force long-range objectives to become more energy efficient and reduce dependency on petroleum products. Within the solid fuel conversion effort, goals have been set for increasing the percentage of total installation energy provided by coal and its products, refuse-derived fuels, biomass, and wood. To encourage development of alternate fuel use and gain operating experience, WPAFB undertook a thirty-month evaluation/demonstration of dRDF as a stoker boiler fuel in military heating plants (starting in May, 1979). This thesis examines the impact on plant operating expenses of burning coal:dRDF mixtures at that particular base. The figures for comparison were generated by a simulation model of the WPAFB heating system and environment. Projected yearly operating expenses were accumulated in the model and returned to present values for various fuel ratios, inflation rates, and discount factors. Under the assumptions made within the model, coal alone will remain less expensive to use than a mixture with dRDF until a local source of dRDF becomes available. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA111376
Entities
People
- Richard G. Fedors
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology