Early sustainability assessment for potential configurations of integrated biorefineries. Screening of bio‐based derivatives from platform chemicals

Abstract

This study aims to identify potential bio‐based derivatives from the conversion of platform chemicals at early design phases. To do this, an existing early‐stage sustainability assessment method was extended, to cover both catalytic and biochemical conversion processes in biorefinery systems. The method combines proxy indicators describing economic, environmental, and operational aspects. Conversion routes are analyzed by using three case studies: catalytic conversion of bio‐based syngas to derivatives with petrochemical counterpart (16 systems), biochemical conversion of carbohydrates to derivatives with petrochemical counterpart (12 systems), and biochemical and catalytic conversion of glycerol to derivatives with petrochemical counterpart (8 systems). The indicators were combined into a single score, and then compared to a petrochemical counterpart. Sensitivity analysis was carried‐out to analyze the influence of conversion yields and prices on the index ratio. Furthermore, scenario analyses were conducted to account for three different regions (the EU, the USA, and China). Results confirmed the successful application of the method to processes that considered catalytic and/or biochemical conversion processes. The method showed to be an effective tool for the selection of bio‐based derivatives with favorable potential sustainability performances in comparison to their petrochemical counterparts. The results show two systems from syngas, five systems from carbohydrates, and seven systems from glycerol as favorable. The results serve as a primary database to draw recommendations on e.g., future configurations of integrated biorefineries. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Methods for designing and assessing biorefineries: Review

“…This approach applied to the design of biorefineries is an alternative to methodologies such as (i) optimization of superstructures and (ii) process engineering and conceptual design of processes . The early stage sustainability assessment method applied to biorefineries has as its goal the assessment biorefinery products systematically to identify those with the best potential from a sustainability point of view at an early design stage …”

“…Three sustainability indicators are considered: (i) economic constraints (EC), (ii) energy‐related impact of raw materials (EIRM), and (iii) process complexity (PC). These indicators are grouped in a single index with help of weighting factors to provide fast comparison and choosing of process . This method, applied to the design of biorefineries, involves five steps: Modification of the method .…”

“…These indicators are grouped in a single index with help of weighting factors to provide fast comparison and choosing of process . This method, applied to the design of biorefineries, involves five steps: Modification of the method . Initially, the method is applied to chemical processes and stand‐alone bio‐based processes considering five indicators.…”

Production of 1,3‐butadiene and ε‐caprolactam from C6 sugars: Techno‐economic analysis

“…The carbohydrates platform stands out due to its unique versatility as a precursor for multiple valuable products with many applications . The carbohydrates platform, which generally consists of hexoses (e.g., C6 sugars), pentoses (e.g., C5 sugars), or disaccharides, has traditionally been produced from sugary crops such as corn, sugarcane, and sugar beets.…”

Early‐stage evaluation of biorefinery processing pathways using process network flux analysis

“…Separation effort: Accounting for the separation effort, several empirical approaches exist, e.g., categorizing the complexity of a separation by a weighted sum of purely empirical indicators considering the presence of solids or azeotropes. 55 In terms of energy demand, correlations for various unit operations are known in literature. 56,57 However, these equations are either based on expert-knowledge or fitted to historical data hence might under-or overestimate the energy demand strongly.…”