Thermoeconomic analysis of a Cuban sugar cane mill

Cogeneration is usual practice in sugar-cane mills. In this work, thermoeconomic analysis is applied to the cogeneration system of a typical Cuban sugar-cane mill. Two different cost attribution methods, the extraction method and the equality method are used to evaluate the exergetic and monetary (operational) costs of each flux within the system, especially the steam and generated power. The methodology indicates the equipment responsible for the greatest irreversibility and for the increase in the costs of the products of the system.