Techno-economically-driven identification of ideal plant configurations for a new biomass-to-liquid process – A case study for Central-Europe

The conversion of agricultural waste materials such as bark or straw into 2nd generation biofuels constitutes an auspicious way to meet part the future fuel demand in a sustainable way. number possible production routes is diverse, and techno-economic analyses these have been conducted very different ways. route involving gasification, gas purification, subsequent Fischer-Tropsch synthesis enables hydrocarbons that achieve current standards after upgrading existing refinery infrastructure. To evaluate promising biomass-to-liquid process, methodology presented incorporates economic constraints process design, allowing identification regionally optimal design. costs new concepts are estimated by setting up detailed flowsheet simulation AspenPlus® based on experimental data from successful demonstration runs EU-Project COMSYN. In addition, evaluation incorporated in-house software tool TEPET (Techno-Economic Process Evaluation Tool) has extended processes’ performance European regions include transportation refining costs. approach regional sweet spots shown map for Central-Europe, indicating favorable design each region. Furthermore, results automated mapping depending heat electricity market presented. performed show tends expand technology with low feedstock costs, while defined market. this work, net less than 1.12 €2019/lbiofuel were determined Hungary, Poland Slovakia.