Superstructure Optimization of Integrated Fast Pyrolysis-Gasification for Production of Liquid Fuels and Propylene

Motivated by the apparent advantages of fast pyrolysis and gasification, a novel integrated biorefinery plant is systematically synthesized for coproducing premium quality liquid fuels and propylene. The required heat and fluidization promotion of the fast pyrolyzer are provided by hot syngas from the gasifier. Light gas and syngas from the fast pyrolyzer are finally converted to hydrocarbons via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Multiple syngas production technologies, hydrocarbon production and downstream upgrading routes are incorporated within a superstructure optimization based process synthesis framework. This is the first article to investigate the benefits associated with the introduction of conventional catalytic cracking and dewaxing from a systems engineering perspective. Surrogate models describing the gasifiers and rigorous equations for Fischer-Tropsch effluents validated by our experimental collaborator are introduced. Through investigation of five scenarios the primary parameters affecting overall economic performance are identified through ranking of the relevant candidates. Comparisons of the hybrid conversion route and stand-alone routes are made. VC (C) 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers