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1 – 6 of 6Sébastien Bourdin, Roland Condor, Christine Fournès and Luc Tessier
While numerous studies have focused on the economic impact of technical changes made to anaerobic digestion plants, there is limited understanding of the overall economic and…
Abstract
Purpose
While numerous studies have focused on the economic impact of technical changes made to anaerobic digestion plants, there is limited understanding of the overall economic and financial performance of the biogas production units. This study aims to analyse the economic and financial performance of the biogas production sector over a 5-year period using various accounting indicators.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on an examination of financial data of French biogas units over a five-year period (2015–2019). Following a research protocol detailed in the study, 334 units were studied: 192 projects run by farmers, 83 projects run by industrial companies and 59 run by a mixed partnership (farmers, local authorities, and industry).
Findings
This study reveals that biogas production is performing well both economically and financially, but the performance varies depending on the type of producer: farmers better perform from an economic point of view, while industrialists are looking for financial profitability. Farmers exploit their competitive advantage based on waste disposal. Industrialists offset this disadvantage by a better ability to raise funds to negotiate payment terms and interest rates.
Originality/value
The originality of the study lies in its business approach. It completes the energy efficiency one which is more usual in energy sector management publications. Additionally, the study spans a five-year period, providing a longitudinal perspective of companies’ economic and financial performance. Furthermore, the data is sourced from reliable government sources.
Details
Keywords
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online…
Abstract
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories:
Additions for use in polyurethane coatings. Angus Chemie GmbH has announced the introduction of two new additions to its product line for polyurethane coatings. Zoldine RD‐20…
Abstract
Additions for use in polyurethane coatings. Angus Chemie GmbH has announced the introduction of two new additions to its product line for polyurethane coatings. Zoldine RD‐20 Reactive Diluent is designed to replace higher viscosity polyols in high solids polyurethane coatings. Zoldine MS‐Plus Moisture Scavenger eliminates bubbles, pinholes, downglossing and hazing in polyurethane coatings to allow for fast cure times in all types of weather.
Douglas J. Ernest and Lewis B. Herman
In recent years, guides to hiking trails and wilderness areas have enjoyed an increase in popularity. Here, Douglas J. Ernest and Lewis B. Herman evaluate more than 100 such books.
Water‐borne coatings Increasing use of water‐borne emulsion coatings for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and product finishes is requiring greater efficiency in…
Abstract
Water‐borne coatings Increasing use of water‐borne emulsion coatings for original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and product finishes is requiring greater efficiency in coalescing‐aid solvents, an Eastman Chemical Co. representative said at a recent Chicago Society for Coatings Technology meeting. Eastman's Ronald K. Litton said emulsions designed for OEM and industrial applications have higher glass transition temperatures than emulsions used in architectural paints. That requires higher levels of coalescing aid to achieve good film formation. As a result, coalescing‐aid efficiency with a given emulsion system is a key factor, both from environmental (lower‐volatile organic compound (VOC)) and economic standpoints. Several properties should be examined when a coalescing aid is selected for water‐borne emulsion industrial coatings. The formulator should consider the evaporation rate and solubility parameter of the coalescing aid, along with its distribution pattern in a specific emulsion system. Those properties are important in defining the efficiency of a coalescing aid in terms of its ability to lower the minimum film‐forming temperature (MFFT) of an emulsion system. The coalescing aids also must be hydrolytically stable to provide minimum loss of efficiency due to ageing, Litton said. He showed several charts designed to assist formulators in the selection of optimum coalescing aids for emulsion systems. At the same conference, James T.K. Woo of The Glidden Co. discussed the grafting of high‐molecular‐weight epoxy resins with styrene‐methacrylic acid monomers, producing a water‐reducible copolymer. Grafting takes place at the aliphatic carbons of the epoxy resin, according to carbon‐13 NMR spectroscopy. The study was a follow‐up to a paper presented 14 years ago. Woo said recent research indicates that five grafting “peaks” were identified on a 400 megacycle carbon‐13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy instrument. The paper provided several theoretical calculation on grafting. Three of the graft peaks resulted from grafting at the secondary methylene carbons ‐CH2‐ and two resulted from grafting at the tertiary carbon ‐CH‐. The ratio of grafting at ‐CH2‐ to ‐CH‐appears to be 2.7:1 — lower than the 4:1 ratio of protons present on the aliphatic carbons that are susceptible to hydrogen abstraction leading to grafting. That indicates that the tertiary hydrogen is somwhat more susceptible to grafting than the methylene hydrogens, he said.