Estimation of Liquid Fuel Yields from Biomass

Abstract

We have estimated sun-to-fuel yields for the cases when dedicated fuel crops are grown and harvested to produce liquid fuel. The stand-alone biomass to liquid fuel processes, that use biomass as the main source of energy, are estimated to produce one-and-one-half to three times less sun-to-fuel yield than the augmented processes. In an augmented process, solar energy from a fraction of the available land area is used to produce other forms of energy such as H(2), heat etc., which are then used to increase biomass carbon recovery in the conversion process. However, even at the highest biomass growth rate of 6.25 kg/m(2).y considered in this study, the much improved augmented processes are estimated to have sun-to-fuel yield of about 2%. We also propose a novel stand-alone H(2)Bioil-B process, where a portion of the biomass is gasified to provide H(2) for the fast-hydropyrolysis/hydrodeoxygenation of the remaining biomass. This process is estimated to be able to produce 125-146 ethanol gallon equivalents (ege)/ton of biomass of high energy density oil but needs experimental development. The augmented version of fast-hydropyrolysis/hydrodeoxygenation, where H(2) is generated from a nonbiomass energy source, is estimated to provide liquid fuel yields as high as 215 ege/ton of biomass. These estimated yields provide reasonable targets for the development of efficient biomass conversion processes to provide liquid fuel for a sustainable transport sector.

A review of recent laboratory research and commercial developments in fast pyrolysis and upgrading

“…Agrawal et al [47] and Singh et al [48] propose that increased conversion efficiencies could be achieved by a natural gas reformer or coal-powered power plant to a fast hydropyrolysis facility, with the former facilities providing H 2 /CO. This process was termed (the H 2 Bio-oil process).…”

Biomass Hydropyrolysis in a Pressurized Fluidized Bed Reactor

“…7−11 The economics of hydropyrolysis also compares well to other biofuel technologies considering the higher pressures involved and the high hydrogen demand. 8,9,12,13 ■ EXPERIMENTAL METHODS Biomass Feedstock. The biomass feedstock used in the hydropyrolysis studies was a woody residue provided by Catchlight Energy LLC to the National Advanced Biofuels Consortium.…”

University of Northern British Columbia bioenergy plant: Performance review and opportunities for improvement.

“…They are only econom ical on a large scale so are not suitable for sm aller com m ercial operations. The bio-oil conversion has the potential to produce the least am ount o f electricity due to the fact that only a percentage o f the biom ass ends up as oil (Singh et al 2010). …”

“…For liquid fuels (gasoline and diesel), 35 -50% o f the original energy from the biom ass rem ains in the final product (Singh et al 2010). For bio-oil, 65 -70% o f the original energy rem ains in the final product (Singh et al 2010).…”

“…For liquid fuels (gasoline and diesel), 35 -50% o f the original energy from the biom ass rem ains in the final product (Singh et al 2010). For bio-oil, 65 -70% o f the original energy rem ains in the final product (Singh et al 2010). D uring the production o f biochar, 30 -55% o f the original biom ass energy rem ains in the final product (M atovic 2010(M atovic , W eifu et al 2010(M atovic , Roberts et al 2010.…”