ADVANCEMENTS IN THE WOOD PELLET PROCESSING INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF REPLACING OIL BOILERS: A CASE STUDY IN TIRANA

Artan Hoxha¹*, Ardit Gjeta¹, Majlinda Alcani¹, Rozafat Sopaj²

¹ Energy Department, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania
² Municipality of Tirana, Albania
* Corresponding author: ahoxha@fim.edu.al

ABSTRACT: In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the use of wood pellets as an energy source for residential heating, fulfilling both space heating and domestic water needs. Wood pellets represent an environmentally friendly fuel source with zero carbon emissions. Their use is considered sustainable, efficient, and reliable for households, commercial operations, and small scale industrial processes. The objective of the paper is to analyze the economic feasibility of substitution oil boilers in schools and kindergartens in the city of Tirana, Albania with pellet boilers. This study aims to contribute valuable data and knowledge for the advancement of the wood pellet industry in the Korça region and its use in the gardens and schools of the city of Tirana. Using a combination of descriptive analysis and economic evaluation, the study reveals that the evolution of the wood pellet sector is efficient and economically favourable. Furthermore, wood pellet boiler presents a more economical and efficient alternative to traditional oil-based heating systems. The results showed that the replacement of boilers for kindergartens and schools in Tirana is a better choice with significant benefits in the cost of fuel.

KEYWORDS: Wood pellets, economic analysis, energy, fuel consumption, boilers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.69076/jomac.2024.0014

CITATION: A. Hoxha, A. Gjeta, M. Alcani and R. Sopaj, ADVANCEMENTS IN THE WOOD PELLET PROCESSING INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF REPLACING OIL BOILERS: A CASE STUDY IN TIRANA, International Journal of Mechanics and Control, Vol. 25, No. 01, pp. 97-104, 2024, https://doi.org/10.69076/jomac.2024.0014

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