Journal
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
Volume 200, Issue -, Pages 928-939Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.11.008
Keywords
Lignocellulose biorefinery; Beech wood; Pinch analysis; Cost estimation; Discounted cash flow analysis
Funding
- German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
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Lignocellulose biorefineries are distinguished by an explicitly integrative, multi-functional concept that transforms biomass into multiple products, using a variety of conversion and separation processes. This study focuses on the technical design and economic evaluation of a lignocellulose biorefinery, that converts 400,000 t DM/a (250 MW) of beech wood into chemicals and fuel. A model was simulated with Aspen Plus (R) including the process steps pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, alcoholic fermentation, dehydration and biogas generation and upgrading. Mass and energy balances showed that 61,600 t/a polymer-grade ethylene, 58,520 t DM/a organosolv lignin, 38,400 t/a biomethane and 90,800 t DM/a hydrolysis lignin can be produced with a total energy efficiency of 87.1%. A discounted cash flow analysis indicated that the heat integrated biorefinery concept is not yet profitable. However, the economic results are greatly sensitive regarding various assumptions, in particular in terms of the prices for beech wood, ethylene and organosolv lignin. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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