Fuels derived from biomass feedstocks are a particularly attractive energy resource pathway given their inherent advantages of energy security via domestic fuel crop production and their renewable status. However, there are numerous questions regarding how to optimally produce, distribute, and utilize biofuels such that they are economically, energetically, and environmentally sustainable. Comparative analyses of two conceptual 2000 tonne/day thermochemical-based biorefineries are performed to explore the effects of emerging technologies on process efficiencies. System models of the biorefineries, created using ASPEN Plus®, include all primary process steps required to convert a biomass feedstock into hydrogen, including gasification, gas cleanup and conditioning, hydrogen purification, and thermal integration. The biorefinery concepts studied herein are representative of ‘near-term’ (ca. 2015) and ‘future’ (ca. 2025) plants. The ‘near-term’ plant design serves as a baseline concept and incorporates currently available commercial technologies for all non-gasifier processes. The ‘future’ plant design employs emerging gas cleaning and conditioning technologies for both tar and sulfur removal unit operations. Gasifier technology employed in these analyses is centered on directly-heated, oxygen-blown, fluidized-bed systems. Selection of the gasifier pressurizing agent (CO2 v. N2) is found to be a key factor in achieving high hydrogen production efficiency. Efficiency gains of 8-percentage points appear possible with CO2 capture using Selexol or Rectisol-type processes. A 25% increase in electric power production is observed for the ‘future’ case over the baseline configuration due to improved thermal integration while realizing an overall plant efficiency improvement of 2 percentage points. Exergy analysis reveals the largest inefficiencies are associated with the (i) gasification, (ii) steam and power production, and (iii) gas cleanup and purification processes.
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ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
November 12–18, 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
978-0-7918-4429-8
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
System Analysis of Thermochemical-Based Biorefineries for Co-Production of Hydrogen and Electricity Available to Purchase
Robert J. Braun,
Robert J. Braun
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
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Luke G. Hanzon,
Luke G. Hanzon
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
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Jered H. Dean
Jered H. Dean
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Search for other works by this author on:
Robert J. Braun
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Luke G. Hanzon
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Jered H. Dean
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Paper No:
IMECE2010-39002, pp. 43-56; 14 pages
Published Online:
April 30, 2012
Citation
Braun, RJ, Hanzon, LG, & Dean, JH. "System Analysis of Thermochemical-Based Biorefineries for Co-Production of Hydrogen and Electricity." Proceedings of the ASME 2010 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition. Volume 5: Energy Systems Analysis, Thermodynamics and Sustainability; NanoEngineering for Energy; Engineering to Address Climate Change, Parts A and B. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. November 12–18, 2010. pp. 43-56. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2010-39002
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