Simulation, optimization and costing of a fully integrated multi-product biorefinery
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
5-29-2012
Abstract
The simulation and optimization of a multiproduct biomass refinery by means of different technology choices and process superstructures are presented. For the case study, the prospective product portfolio consists of ethanol, butanol, lactic acid, and succinic acid. A fermentation platform is used to convert biomass to products. The studied potential pretreatment technologies include steam hydrolysis, dilute acid (DA), and ammonia fiber explosion (AFEX). Fermentation configurations that are investigated include simultaneous hydrolysis with either separate C5 and C6 fermentation, or co-fermentation of C5 and C6 sugars. A multi-period deterministic process superstructure optimization model is used to arrive at the optimal product and technology configuration. AFEX and Co-fermentation are found to be the optimal technologies based on the process yield and capital and operating cost. The optimal product mixture includes ethanol and succinic acid. Once the optimization is performed for this process, the simulation of the optimal process configuration is carried out on different capacities. Waste management technologies are also studied and cost is evaluated through simulation. These technologies are fed back into superstructure optimization model to determine the economic impact of investment in waste mitigation on the biorefinery. Three waste mitigation technologies are simulated, i.e., carbon capture and sequestration of fermentation gas (from ethanol fermentation) into succinic acid fermentation tanks to improve succinic acid yields; carbon capture, purification, and transport from emitted flue gas from power generation for EOR markets; and anaerobic and aerobic digesters to mitigate solid effluents from the production processes. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 2012 AIChE Spring National Meeting and 8th Global Congress on Process Safety (Houston, TX 4/1-5/2012).
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
12AIChE - 2012 AIChE Spring Meeting and 8th Global Congress on Process Safety, Conference Proceedings
Recommended Citation
Nejadfomeshi, A., Sharma, P., & Romagnoli, J. (2012). Simulation, optimization and costing of a fully integrated multi-product biorefinery. 12AIChE - 2012 AIChE Spring Meeting and 8th Global Congress on Process Safety, Conference Proceedings Retrieved from https://repository.lsu.edu/chem_engineering_pubs/571