ANALYSIS OF DIRECTIONS OF USING SUNFLOWER PRODUCTION BY-PRODUCTS FOR ENERGY IN UKRAINE (REVIEW)

The aim of the work is to analyze technical and economic basis for the development of energy and biofuel production from sunflower growing by-products in Ukraine. The task of the work is to determine conditions that ensure the economic feasibility of such type projects in Ukraine. Results of assessment of the energy potential of sunflower production by-products in Ukraine are presented. Ukraine is a world leader in terms of sunflower gross harvest. Consequently the country has a large potential of by-products from sunflower growing and processing available for energy. Today, with the exception of sunflower husk, this type of biomass is practically not used for energy needs. Small amounts of sunflower growing by-products are mainly used by some agricultural producers and rural households to cover their own needs in heat. Taking into consideration the insufficiently described practice of harvesting this type of biomass and the undoubted prospects of its use for energy in Ukraine, it is necessary to conduct some field tests of harvesting technologies, at least on the basis of existing agricultural machinery, in particular, forage harvester and mulcher with a baler. Further research is needed on the technology of direct combustion of stalks and other by-products of sunflower growing, as well as the production of solid, liquid and gaseous biofuels from them.