Simulation and life cycle assessment of biofuel production via fast pyrolysis and hydroupgrading

Peters, Joachim; Iribarren, Diego; Dufour, Javier

doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2014.09.014

Cited by 119 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Finally the gas mixture 203 comprising mainly carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane and ethane enters a combined 204 heat and power cycle (Brayton-Rankine) to generate electricity. The pyrolysis unit was simulated as a RYIELD reactor with a calculator block (including 216 FORTRAN statements) that defines the product distribution of gas, tar and char according to 217 Table 3 [Peters et al, 2015]. Two heat exchangers were used in order to cool the pyrolysis 218 output stream and thereby condense the liquid products from the non-condensable gases.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A techno-economic comparison of Fischer–Tropsch and fast pyrolysis as ways of utilizing sugar cane bagasse in transportation fuels production.

Michailos

Parker

Webb

2017

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

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Due to limited biomass availability, the establishment of optimal route biofuel 13 value chains (one conversion route for each feedstock) is a key prerequisite for a feasible 14 bioenergy sector. This way, biorefineries can take advantage of the economies of scale and 15 increase their economic potential. Therefore, techno-economic comparison between similar 16 conversion processes for the utilisation of individual feedstocks is essential. To this effect, 17 the present study focuses on the feasibility of two biomass to liquids (BtL) thermochemical 18 conversion routes for the production of hydrocarbon fuels. Aspen plus software was 19 2 employed to investigate a gasification followed by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis route (G-FT) 20 and fast pyrolysis followed by hydroprocessing (FP-H) by developing process flowsheets 21 and solving the associated mass, and energy balances. Based on the simulations, 22 thermodynamic (energy/exergy analysis) and economic (financial and risk analysis) 23 evaluations were carried out. Sensitivity analyses have been performed in order to define 24 the key parameters of each conversion route. Sugar cane bagasse, the waste solid residue of 25 the sugar cane milling process, was considered as feedstock at a flowrate of 100 t/h. Based on 26 the outcomes of the evaluations, the two alternatives were compared and it was concluded 27 that, both energetically and financially, G-FT synthesis is the more efficient option. 28

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

A techno-economic comparison of Fischer–Tropsch and fast pyrolysis as ways of utilizing sugar cane bagasse in transportation fuels production.

Michailos

Parker

Webb

2017

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

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“…Nevertheless, simulation results provide a reasonable estimate of the required inventory data. Thus, all previous LCA studies of biofuel production via fast pyrolysis [34][35][36][37][38][39] are mainly based on simulation results from process design and techno-economic studies [44][45][46]. Inventory data for the fast pyrolysis and upgrading subsystems in this study were obtained from simulation results from robust process models described elsewhere [47,48].…”

Section: Inventory Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The prospect of producing bio-hydrocarbons from the fast pyrolysis of biomass and subsequent upgrading of the bio-oil product has prompted several life cycle assessment studies towards assessing the associated environmental impacts [34][35][36][37][38][39]. Hsu [34] reported that biofuels produced from fast pyrolysis of forest residues and bio-oil hydroprocessing reduced GHG emissions by 53% compared with conventional gasoline in a well-to-wheel (WTW) LCA study.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Han et al [39] reported 60-112% reduction in WTW GHG emissions by substituting pyrolysis-derived fuels for fossil fuels based on various scenarios. Recently, Peters et al [36] conducted a cradle-to-gate LCA study and revealed that GHG savings of 54.5% can be achieved by replacing conventional fuels with biofuels derived from fast pyrolysis of hybrid polar and bio-oil hydroprocessing. These studies considered bio-oil upgrading via hydroprocessing showing that hydroprocessing is an environmentally viable route for the production of second generation biofuels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparative evaluation of GHG emissions from the use of Miscanthus for bio-hydrocarbon production via fast pyrolysis and bio-oil upgrading

Shemfe

Whittaker

et al. 2016

Applied Energy

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This study examines the GHG emissions associated with producing bio-hydrocarbons via fast pyrolysis of Miscanthus. The feedstock is then upgraded to bio-oil products via hydroprocessing and zeolite cracking. Inventory data for this study were obtained from current commercial cultivation practices of Miscanthus in the UK and state-of-the-art process models developed in Aspen Plus®. The system boundary considered spans from the cultivation of Miscanthus to conversion of the pyrolysis-derived bio-oil into bio-hydrocarbons up to the refinery gate. The Miscanthus cultivation subsystem considers three scenarios for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration rates. These were assumed as follows: (i) excluding (SOC), (ii) low SOC and (iii) high (SOC) for best and worst cases. Overall, Miscanthus cultivation contributed moderate to negative values to GHG emissions, from analysis of excluding SOC to high SOC scenarios. Furthermore, the rate of SOC in the Miscanthus cultivation subsystem has significant effects on total GHG emissions. Where SOC is excluded, the fast pyrolysis subsystem shows the highest positive contribution to GHG emissions, while the credit for exported electricity was the main ‘negative’ GHG emission contributor for both upgrading pathways. Comparison between the bio-hydrocarbons produced from the two upgrading routes and fossil fuels indicates GHG emission savings between 68 and 87%. Sensitivity analysis reveals that bio-hydrocarbon yield and nitrogen gas feed to the fast pyrolysis reactor are the main parameters that influence the total GHG emissions for both pathways

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“…The method incorporated three evaluation indicators: total annual profits for economy performance, energy input, and GHG emission per unit of energy produced for environmental performance. LCA was also combined with simulation method to access the processes with the highest contribution to the environmental impacts in a biofuel process chain [13]. Møller et al combined LCA with welfare economic Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) to evaluate the feasibility of introducing biofuels in Denmark.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life-Cycle Energy and GHG Emissions of Forest Biomass Harvest and Transport for Biofuel Production in Michigan

2015

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High dependence on imported oil has increased U.S. strategic vulnerability and prompted more research in the area of renewable energy production. Ethanol production from renewable woody biomass, which could be a substitute for gasoline, has seen increased interest. This study analysed energy use and greenhouse gas emission impacts on the forest biomass supply chain activities within the State of Michigan. A life-cycle assessment of harvesting and transportation stages was completed utilizing peer-reviewed literature. Results for forest-delivered ethanol were compared with those for petroleum gasoline using data specific to the U.S. The analysis from a woody biomass feedstock supply perspective uncovered that ethanol production is more environmentally friendly (about 62% less greenhouse gas emissions) compared with petroleum based fossil fuel production. Sensitivity analysis was conducted with key inputs associated with harvesting and transportation operations. The results showed that research focused on improving biomass recovery efficiency and truck fuel economy further reduced GHG emissions and energy consumption.

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Simulation and life cycle assessment of biofuel production via fast pyrolysis and hydroupgrading

Cited by 119 publications

References 53 publications

A techno-economic comparison of Fischer–Tropsch and fast pyrolysis as ways of utilizing sugar cane bagasse in transportation fuels production.

A techno-economic comparison of Fischer–Tropsch and fast pyrolysis as ways of utilizing sugar cane bagasse in transportation fuels production.

Comparative evaluation of GHG emissions from the use of Miscanthus for bio-hydrocarbon production via fast pyrolysis and bio-oil upgrading

Life-Cycle Energy and GHG Emissions of Forest Biomass Harvest and Transport for Biofuel Production in Michigan

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