Techno-economic analysis of biomass to fuel conversion via the MixAlco process

Abstract

MixAlco is a robust process that converts biomass to fuels and chemicals. A key feature of the MixAlco process is the fermentation, which employs a mixed culture of acid-forming microorganisms to convert biomass components (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) to carboxylate salts. Subsequently, these intermediate salts are chemically converted to hydrocarbon fuels (gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel). This work focuses on process synthesis, simulation, integration, and cost estimation of the MixAlco process. For the base-case capacity of 40 dry tonne feedstock per hour, the total capital investment is US $5.54/annual gallon of hydrocarbon fuels (US $3.79/annual gallon of ethanol equivalent), and the minimum selling price [with 10% return on investment (ROI), internal hydrogen production, and US $60/tonne biomass] is US $2.56/gal hydrocarbon, which is equivalent to US $1.75/gal ethanol. If plant capacity is increased to 400 tph, the minimum selling price of biomass-derived hydrocarbon fuels is US $1.76/gal hydrocarbon (US $1.20/gal ethanol equivalent), which can compete without subsidies with petroleum-derived hydrocarbons when crude oil sells for about US $65/bbl. At 40 tph, using the average tipping fee for municipal solid waste (US $45/dry tonne) and current price of external hydrogen (US $1/kg), the minimum selling price is only US $1.24/gal hydrocarbon (US $0.85/gal ethanol equivalent).

Ni/silica-based bimetallic catalysts by solid-state co-reduction of admixed metal oxides for acetic acid hydroconversion to ethanol

“…acetic acid) or various carboxylic group containing compounds [7]. Instead of the simple thermochemical routes (as pyrolysis), a novel way, a favorable biochemical destruction (on basis of the biogas process stopped after the rapid anaerobic acidogenic digestion stage) is suggested utilizing volatile fatty acids (VFAs) for production of biofuels and biochemicals [8][9][10]. Species of anaerobic bacteria, including members of the genus Clostridium, can convert directly sugar building units to AA from less expensive feeds, various wastes of food industry and agriculture:…”

Biomass Conversion to Hydrocarbon Fuels Using the MixAlcoTMProcess

“…Preliminary economic evaluations indicate that a commercial-scale process can sell gasoline for about $2.56/gal ($0.68/L) in the base-case scenario, with a range from $1.25/gal ($0.33/L) to $3.75/gal ($0.99/L), depending upon assumptions [1].…”

“…One option is the MixAlco™ process, which converts lignocellulose into hydrocarbon fuels (e.g., gasoline). Preliminary economic studies indicate that bio-gasoline can be sold for $2.56/gal ($0.68/L) in a base-case scenario [1]. The selling price can range from $1.25/gal ($0.33/L) to $3.75/gal ($0.99/L), depending upon assumptions.…”

“…The MixAlco™ process is a version of the carboxylate platform that does not require sterilization to obtain fuels [1][2][3][4]. Using a fermentation process similar to that which occurs in the rumen of cattle, the biomass is converted to mixed acids (e.g., acetic, propionic, butyric acid).…”

Catalytic alkylation of acetone with ethanol over Pd/carbon catalyst in flow-through system via borrowing hydrogen route

“…MixAlco -can be applied 4 to produce volatile fatty acids, mainly acetic acid. [5][6] The overall chemical reaction without loss of biomass conducted by species of anaerobic bacteria, including members of the genus Clostridium may be represented as:…”