Multiple-cascade automated targeting for synthesis of a gasification-based integrated biorefinery

In this work, a novel multiple-cascade automated targeting (MCAT) approach is proposed for determining the maximum economic performance of a gasification-based integrated biorefinery. Since multiple process parameters (i.e., heat input of biomass gasifier, syngas specification for downstream synthesis process, gasification temperature, etc.) should be taken into consideration simultaneously in order to optimize such system, this work extends the previously developed single-cascade automated targeting (SCAT) to allow such problems to be dealt with more effectively. This proposed approach, is based on pinch analysis, and can be used to identify the performance targets based on different optimization objectives prior to detailed design of the integrated biorefinery. An industrial case study is solved to illustrate the approach. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.