Modeling and economic analysis of biomass and plastic conversion to power

Abstract

The viability of converting wood chips and plastic to power via compact integrated catalytic fast/slow pyrolysis, combustor, and Stirling engine technologies was determined using modeling analysis. Aspen simulations followed by sizing analysis were performed to determine the size, weight, and net energy efficiency of upgrading wood chips and plastic to power using a compact energy system with a feedstock processing capacity of 1 kg h −1 . The equipment and tooling to fabricate individual components of a compact energy system were identified. The total costs of fabricating all the individual components of compact energy systems were assessed. A discounted cash flow analysis with an internal rate of return of 20% was used to assess the minimum selling price of compact energy systems. The specific energy (Wh kg −1 ) of the compact catalytic fast pyrolysis system, compact slow pyrolysis system, and compact plastic conversion system were assessed at 20, 29, and 63, respectively. The assessed capital and annual costs of manufacturing 10