D. Kwaśniewski

The Dynamic Model of Willow Biomass Production

The paper presents methods and tools for building computer simulation models for supporting decision-making activities. The cultivation of energy crops for biomass production is a continuous process in which delays are very important along with other factors the values of which may denote a function of many parameters. The harvest of energy plants is a discrete process, so the simulation must combine both of these processes. The paper presents the method of constructing a model for growing energy crops and interprets conclusions resulting from the operation of the model, for changing values of the decision parameters.

Economic Effectiveness of Straw Pellets Production

Abstract The objective of the paper was to present straw pellets production technology and to determine their production costs. The paper presents also the cost structure and economic effectiveness of pellets production. Tests were carried out in EKO-BIOMASA company which produces pellets. It is located in Biechów in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. Unit costs of pellets production were: 310.20 PLN ∙ t-1 for option 1, 285.40 PLN ∙ t-1 for option 2 and 278.90 PLN ∙ t-1 for option 3. The most favourable was option 3 when the pellet production was carried out on the technology line in the 3-shift system day and night. In all three variants of pellet production, the highest costs were in case of electric energy. Its participation in the cost structure in relation to the option was within 42% (option 3) and 38% (option 1). The obtained indicator of economic effectiveness for all the investigated options was higher than one.

Production capacity and workstations load in the animal feed production process

Abstract Production capacity is the amount of production with the determined assortment structure possible to achieve by a particular production unit in a determined time at the optimal use of production factors and at maintaining the products quality corresponding to standards. The objective of the paper was to determine the production power and output of particular workstations which constitute an assembly line of dry animal feed. The scope of research covered an assembly line in the establishment which produces dry feed for pet animals. Based on information and documentation obtained from the company manager and on the work schedule determined for particular workstations, the operation time of a machine, human work time (operation of a machine) and operation time of the entire station with its working surface was determined. Research showed that workstations which constituted the assembly line of dry animal feed were loaded within 76 to 86%. The lowest loading was reported in the mill and LP02 assembly line and it was respectively 76 and 78%. Whereas loading of the remaining devices was comparable and was at the level within 84 to 86%.