Processing Miscanthus to high‐value chemicals: A techno‐economic analysis based on process simulation

Abstract

Thermochemical biorefineries for the production of chemicals and materials can play an important role in the bioeconomy. However, their economic viability is often questioned under the premise of the economy of scale. This paper presents a regional, modular biorefinery concept for the production of the platform chemicals hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural and phenols from the lignocellulosic perennial miscanthus, which can be cultivated on marginal and degraded areas. The paper focuses on the question of the minimum selling price of HMF and the optimal plant size for this purpose, using the region of Baden‐Württemberg, Germany, as an example. Based on small pilot plant results, a scalable process simulation was created via AspenPlus. This allows different scenarios and process combinations of this multi‐output biorefinery concept to be compared with each other. Using this, a minimum sales price for the main product HMF is calculated using methods of dynamic investment cost calculation according to the net present value method. Based on this, the plant capacity was scaled. The scenarios and sensitivity analyses show that, with an accuracy of ±15%, regional biorefineries could already offer platform chemicals at prices of 2.21–2.90 EUR/kg HMF at the current stage of development. This corresponds to three to four times the price of today's comparative fossil base chemicals and is thus a competitive option from the authors’ point of view. The local biomass and the heat prices were identified as the main influencing factors. As a result, the selection of the location will have a decisive influence on the economic viability of such concepts in the case of further development and optimization of the process in first demonstration plants.

Continuous synthesis of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural from biomass in on‐farm biorefinery

“…Nevertheless, further research in this direction is needed, especially in the techno‐economic field. According to the first publications in this field, HMF from biomass can compete with fossil‐based chemicals, despite the higher production costs (Götz et al, 2022).…”

Prospects for chemical and biotechnological processing of miscanthus

“…Мискантус также может быть вовлечен в различные проекты в рамках концепции глубокой переработки биомассы для получения ценных химических веществ, таких как гидроксиметилфурфурол, фурфурол, фенолы [48], этиленгликоль [49].…”

Developing Miscanthus seed plug establishment protocols with mulch film for commercial upscaling

“…Furthermore, energy from biomass crops could be carbon negative if combined with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) (Fajardy & Mac Dowell, 2017). In addition, PBCs have the potential to offset fossil fuels through providing feed stocks for a range of industrial end uses such chemical production, building materials and transport fuels (Götz et al, 2022; Lask et al, 2021; Witzleben, 2022). While PBCs have a high potential to substitute fossil fuels for a range uses the planted areas of such crops remains low in the UK with just over 8000 ha of Miscanthus being grown in 2020 a rise from 6900 ha in 2015 (DEFRA, 2021; von Hellfeld et al, 2022; Witzel & Finger, 2016).…”