Multilateral Exploitation of Olive Tree Lop – Techno-Economical Analysis for Leave Extracts, Compost and Energy Pellet Production

Abstract

Agricultural residues in Greece are amounted to several million tons per year, the olive tree lops (OTL) ranked first with 1.4-3 million tons per year. After the removal of the thicker woods, the rest are burned in the countryside by farmers causing except from energy loss, particularly severe air pollution (greenhouse gases, micro particles, etc.). First objective of this study was to perform a techno-economical analysis of a complete management of OTL in a rural municipality (real application to the Municipality Department of Vasilaki in the Prefecture Laconia, Greece) for the final production of: a) leaves from OTL for extraction of useful constituents, b) bio-compost for soil enhancement and fertilizer and c) pellets for energy applications. From a sensitivity analysis, it was observed that the proposed investment was sensitive in changes of leaves value. Moreover, a change in the price of raw material alters considerably the investment. Generally, the expected profit was considered sufficient and the evaluation criteria (rate on return on initial investment, payout period and net present value) offer very promising results in the direction of undertaking the investment.

As the main result, this work envisages to opening up a new road showing a feasible solution of this problem, better than that used nowadays. The proposed solution could be extended to any agricultural residue and can be applied by any interested farmer, enterprise or local authority, offering exploitation of natural resources and enhancement of agriculturist income, especially those in less favored regions.