Calculation of the Economic Effect of Grain Drying
Amount of grain for drying (from 24% to 14%), t |
Amount of t*% moisture to be removed |
Diesel consumption (at 1.3 L per 1 t*%), L |
Total diesel cost (wholesale price 48 UAH/L), UAH |
Pellet consumption (at 2 kg per 1 t*%), kg |
Total pellet cost (price 10 UAH/kg), UAH |
Savings when using the heat generator, UAH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 000 | 20 000 | 26 000 | 1 248 000 UAH | 40 000 | 400 000 UAH | 848 000 UAH |
| 4 000 | 40 000 | 52 000 | 2 496 000 UAH | 80 000 | 800 000 UAH | 1 696 000 UAH |
| 6 000 | 60 000 | 78 000 | 3 744 000 UAH | 120 000 | 1 200 000 UAH | 2 544 000 UAH |
| 8 000 | 80 000 | 104 000 | 4 992 000 UAH | 160 000 | 1 600 000 UAH | 3 392 000 UAH |
| 10 000 | 100 000 | 130 000 | 6 240 000 UAH | 200 000 | 2 000 000 UAH | 4 240 000 UAH |
* Consumption of liquefied gas (propane–butane) is equivalent to diesel consumption.
Based on the comparison of diesel and wood pellet costs for grain drying (reducing moisture from 24% to 14%), the following conclusions were made:
- Diesel is significantly more expensive than pellets. For 2,000 t, diesel costs 1,248,000 UAH, while pellets cost only 400,000 UAH.
- Savings increase with higher volumes. Savings for 2,000 t — 848,000 UAH; for 10,000 t — already 4,240,000 UAH.
- Pellets ≈ 3 times cheaper than diesel. In all scenarios, savings reach about 70% of fuel-related expenses.
- Larger volumes — greater financial effect. For medium and large elevators, savings reach millions of UAH per season.
- Pellet heat generators are a strategic investment. They ensure energy independence, stable drying quality and significant reduction of service cost.
Key figures from the calculation
- 2,000 t: diesel 1,248,000 UAH → pellets 400,000 UAH → savings 848,000 UAH
- 4,000 t: diesel 2,496,000 UAH → pellets 800,000 UAH → savings 1,696,000 UAH
- 6,000 t: diesel 3,744,000 UAH → pellets 1,200,000 UAH → savings 2,544,000 UAH
- 8,000 t: diesel 4,992,000 UAH → pellets 1,600,000 UAH → savings 3,392,000 UAH
- 10,000 t: diesel 6,240,000 UAH → pellets 2,000,000 UAH → savings 4,240,000 UAH
Conclusion: switching to pellets provides stable savings of up to 4.24 million UAH per season (at 10,000 t) and reduces dependence on diesel prices.