933 research outputs found
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TECHNO-ECONOMIC DECISION SUPPORT TOOL FOR VALIDATING LONG-TERM ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF BIOREFINING PROCESSES
Increasing demand for energy and transportation fuel has motivated researchers all around the world to explore alternatives for a long-term sustainable source of energy. Biomass is one such renewable resource that can be converted into various marketable products by the process of biorefining. Currently, research is taking strides in developing conversion techniques for producing biofuels from multiple bio-based feedstocks. However, the greatest concern with emerging processes is the long-term viability as a sustainable source of energy. Hence, a framework is required that can incorporate novel and existing processes to validate their economic, environmental and social potential in satisfying present energy demands, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own energy needs.
This research focuses on developing a framework that can incorporate fundamental research to determine its long-term viability, simultaneously providing critical techno-economic and decision support information to various stakeholders. This contribution links various simulation and optimization models to create a decision support tool, to estimate the viability of biorefining options in any given region. Multiple disciplines from the Process Systems Engineering and Supply Chain Management are integrated to develop the comprehensive framework. Process simulation models for thermochemical and biochemical processes are developed and optimized using Aspen Engineering Suite. Finally, for validation, the framework is analyzed by combining the outcomes of the process simulation with the supply chain models. The developed techno-economic model takes into account detailed variable costs and capital investments for various conversion processes. Subsequently, case studies are performed to demonstrate the applicability of the decision support tool for the Jackson Purchase region of Western Kentucky. The multidisciplinary framework is a unique contribution in the field of Process Systems Engineering as it demonstrates simulation of process optimization models and illustrates its iterative linking with the supply chain optimization models to estimate the economics of biorefinery from multi-stakeholder perspective. This informative tool not only assists in comparing modes of operation but also forecasts the effect of future scenarios, such as, utilization of marginal land for planting dedicated energy crops and incorporation of emerging enzymatic processes. The resulting framework is novel and informative in assisting investors, policy makers and other stakeholders for evaluating the impacts of biorefining. The results obtained supports the generalizability of this tool to be applied in any given region and guide stakeholders in making financial and strategic decisions
Potential Routes for Thermochemical Biorefineries
This critical review focuses on potential routes for the multi-production of chemicals and fuels in the framework of thermochemical biorefineries. The up-to-date research and development in this field has been limited to BTL/G (biomass-to-liquids/gases) studies, where biomass-derived synthesis gas (syngas) is converted into a single product with/without the co-production of electricity and heat. Simultaneously, the interest on biorefineries is growing but mostly refers to the biochemical processing of biomass. However, thermochemical biorefineries (multi-product plants using thermo-chemical processing of biomass) are still the subject of few studies. This scarcity of studies could be attributed to the limitations of current designs of BTL/G for multi-production and the limited number of considered routes for syngas conversion. The use of a platform chemical (an intermediate) brings new opportunities to the design of process concepts, since unlike BTL/G processes they are not restricted to the conversion of syngas in a single-reaction system. Most of the routes presented here are based on old-fashioned and new routes for the processing of coal- and natural-gas-derived syngas, but they have been re-thought for the use of biomass and the multi-production plants (thermochemical biorefinery). The considered platform chemicals are methanol, DME, and ethanol, which are the common products from syngas in BTL/G studies. Important keys are given for the integration of reviewed routes into the design of thermochemical biorefineries, in particular for the selection of the mix of co-products, as well as for the sustainability (co-feeding, CO2 capture, and negative emissions).Ministerio de Educación FPU Program (AP2010-0119)Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad ENE2012-3159
Energy Systems Analysis for a Solar Economy
The use of solar energy for human needs faces challenges owing to its relatively low energy intensity and intermittent availability, coupled with the constrained availability of renewable carbon and land resources. This study uses systems analysis tools to identify carbon and energy efficient transformations of solar energy for different purposes, including transportation fuels and grid-scale energy storage. These efforts have been complemented with a feasibility analysis of existing fossil-energy and other hybrid pathways.
In an era of limited fossil resources, liquid fuels from sustainably available (SA) biomass could meet the energy needs of the transportation sector. We present a method for synthesizing augmented biofuel processes, which improve biomass carbon conversion to liquid fuel (&etacarbon) compared to standalone biofuel processes by using supplemental solar energy in the form of H2, heat, and electricity. For any target &etacarbon, our method identifies a process, which is guaranteed to consume the least amount of solar energy among all competing designs, thereby minimizing the land area requirement for biofuel production. A non-convex mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model allowing for simultaneous mass, heat, and power integration, is built over a process superstructure and solved using global optimization tools. As a case study, we consider biomass thermochemical routes of gasification/Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis and fast-hydropyrolysis/hydrodeoxygenation. For &etacarbon =70-95%, the synergistic gain of the optimal integrated process is evidenced from the 28-156% lower solar energy consumption compared to augmented gasification/FT processes. To accommodate for the intermittent supply of solar heat and H, we suggest two alternative processing options: 1) flexible operation between low and high carbon recovery modes, or 2) adapting a novel energy storage concept based on the cyclic transformation between liquid carbon dioxide and a liquid carbon molecule for round the clock augmented biofuel production.
If 100% SA biomass carbon conversion via augmented processes cannot meet the demand for renewable liquid fuel, additional carbon (i.e. atmospheric CO2) and land resources must be allocated for this end use. Here, the metric of Sun-to-Fuel (STF) efficiency is shown to be useful in identifying energy and land use efficient routes for converting atmospheric CO2 to liquid fuel.
The availability of H2 is essential for the supply of fuels and chemicals in a solar economy. Using thermodynamic modeling, we estimate the achievable Sun-to-H2 (STH2) efficiency for water-splitting processes harnessing solar energy predominantly as heat. The estimated STH2 efficiencies of 35-54% for direct and two-stage (using Fe3O4/FeO) thermal water-splitting are greater than the achievable values for electrolytic or single bandgap photoelectrochemical water-splitting.
Reconciling today\u27s energy system with the future solar economy vision demands an energy transition roadmap. For the transportation sector, we propose an energy efficient transition using compressed natural gas that eventually can be substituted with compressed methane derived from biomass. Alternatively, if liquid fuel use remains dominant, we identify synergistic processes for integrated biomass and natural gas conversion to liquid fuel during the interim period
Perspectives for Greening European Fossil-Fuel Infrastructures Through Use of Biomass: The Case of Liquid Biofuels Based on Lignocellulosic Resources
Given the importance of climate change it is vital to find a transition away from fossil fuels. The transition will include electrification of several sectors, for example road transport, but considering the strong dependency on carbon-based fuels and associated infrastructures, it is reasonable to assume that biomass-based hydrocarbon will play a key role to smoothen the transition away from fossil fuels. This study provides an analysis of direct and indirect technological options for liquid biofuels based on lignocellulosic resources in the context of greening European fossil-fuel infrastructures. Direct options are those which result in integration of biogenic feedstock in a fossil-based process and then co-processing in a downstream conventional unit or substituting a conventional part of the production chain of a liquid fuel by a bio-based one. Indirect options are those which pave the way for ramping-up biomass supply chain in the form of infrastructure and market. Examples of direct options in the focus of this study are biomass gasification for production of intermediates and biomass pyrolysis substituting fossil feedstock. Examples of indirect options are co-firing biomass in coal-fired power plants and integrating biomass gasification plants with district heating (DH) networks. Such options are important for establishing biomass supply chains and markets. This study also assesses the potential of biomass use in other industrial sectors not directly related with fossil-based fuel or energy production, such as the pulp and paper industry and the iron and steel industry. In this context, opportunities and barriers for both direct and indirect greening options are discussed, focusing mainly on technological and logistic aspects. It is highlighted that fossil-fuel infrastructures can act as drivers for the development of advanced biofuels production as they can reduce the initial risks, in terms of cost and technological maturity, offering the opportunity to increase gradually the demand for biomass, and develop the logistic infrastructure. It is, however, important to make sure that such biofuel production processes are part of a long-term strategy, which needs incentives to overcome current barriers and eventually phase out fossil infrastructures
Power to Gas projects review: Lab, pilot and demo plants for storing renewable energy and CO2
Power to Gas (PtG) processes have appeared in the last years as a long-term solution for renewable electricity surplus storage through methane production. These promising techniques will play a significant role in the future energy storage scenario since it addresses two crucial issues: electrical grid stability in scenarios with high share of renewable sources and decarbonisation of high energy density fuels for transportation. There is a large number of pathways for the transformation of energy from renewable sources into gaseous or liquid fuels through the combination with residual carbon dioxide. The high energy density of these synthetic fuels allows a share of the original renewable energy to be stored in the long-term. The first objective of this review is to thoroughly gather and classify all these energy storage techniques to define in a clear manner the framework which includes the Power to Gas technologies. Once the boundaries of these PtG processes have been evidenced, the second objective of the work is to detail worldwide existing projects which deal with this technology. Basic information such as main objectives, location and launching date is presented together with a qualitative description of the plant, technical data, budget and project partners. A timeline has been built for every project to be able of tracking the evolution of research lines of different companies and institutions
Biomass Gasification and Applied Intelligent Retrieval in Modeling
Gasification technology often requires the use of modeling approaches to incorporate several intermediate reactions in a complex nature. These traditional models are occasionally impractical and often challenging to bring reliable relations between performing parameters. Hence, this study outlined the solutions to overcome the challenges in modeling approaches. The use of machine learning (ML) methods is essential and a promising integration to add intelligent retrieval to traditional modeling approaches of gasification technology. Regarding this, this study charted applied ML-based artificial intelligence in the field of gasification research. This study includes a summary of applied ML algorithms, including neural network, support vector, decision tree, random forest, and gradient boosting, and their performance evaluations for gasification technologies
Flexibility options to tackle intermittency in the energy systems with high share of renewable energy
Recent ”Green deal” of European union includes the decision to become carbon neutral and even carbon-negative region in order to tackle the climate crisis. Such decision includes energy transition from energy production based on fossil fuels to the system based on variable renewable energy sources. Main technical challenge and a key factor in the techno-economic analysis of the energy system of the future, based on variable renewable energy sources, is their variable production. In order to deal with this problem in long-term energy planning, different approaches have been tried, focusing on overcapacity, storage capacities and sectors coupling with heating and transport. In this research, different flexibility options, storage and demand response technologies are modelled on several levels of energy systems: national, regional and continental. With the case study area including all EU countries modelled in EnergyPLAN model, the goal of the research is to show how each flexibility option influences the production capacities of renewable energy source technologies, storage technologies and demand response in order to reach a certain share of renewable energy in final energy consumed. Climate differences were taken into account for modelling of the behaviour of flexibility options, which is shown to be relevant for the creation of their representative curves. Representative curves are created as functions of critical excess electricity produced and share of renewable energy integrated into the system. Results show representative curves of most relevant flexibility options for several regions of EU and for the whole EU as one region. These results are further discussed in terms of strategic decisions addressing the dynamics of integration of such technologies, i.e. deciding on the priority of their integration in the energy system of the region in consideration. Results of research can be applied for integrated assessment models, in long-term planning of energy transition towards carbon-negative energy systems
Energy. A continuing bibliography with indexes, issue 26, 1 April - 30 June 1980
This bibliography lists 1134 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System from April 1, 1980 through June 30, 1980
Design of biomass value chains that are synergistic with the food-energy-water nexus: strategies and opportunities
Humanity’s future sustainable supply of energy, fuels and materials is aiming towards renewable sources such as biomass. Several studies on biomass value chains (BVCs) have demonstrated the feasibility of biomass in replacing fossil fuels. However, many of the activities along the chain can disrupt the food–energy–water (FEW) nexus given that these resource systems have been ever more interlinked due to increased global population and urbanisation. Essentially, the design of BVCs has to integrate the systems-thinking approach of the FEW nexus; such that, existing concerns on food, water and energy security, as well as the interactions of the BVCs with the nexus, can be incorporated in future policies. To date, there has been little to no literature that captures the synergistic opportunities between BVCs and the FEW nexus. This paper presents the first survey of process systems engineering approaches for the design of BVCs, focusing on whether and how these approaches considered synergies with the FEW nexus. Among the surveyed mathematical models, the approaches include multi-stage supply chain, temporal and spatial integration, multi-objective optimisation and uncertainty-based risk management. Although the majority of current studies are more focused on the economic impacts of BVCs, the mathematical tools can be remarkably useful in addressing critical sustainability issues in BVCs. Thus, future research directions must capture the details of food–energy–water interactions with the BVCs, together with the development of more insightful multi-scale, multi-stage, multi-objective and uncertainty-based approaches
Heat and Power from Biomass: Technology development report
This Heat and Power from Biomass Technology Development Report 2018 presents an assessment of the state of the art, development trends, targets and needs, technological barriers, as well as techno-economic projections until 2050. Particular attention is paid to how EC funded projects contributed to technology advancements. It includes an overview of Member States' activities based on information from the relevant SET Plan Temporary Working Groups as well as the objectives and main outcomes of the most relevant international programmes.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable
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