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Title: Syngas Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels Technology Pathway

Abstract

In support of the Bioenergy Technologies Office, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are undertaking studies of biomass conversion technologies to hydrocarbon fuels to identify barriers and target research toward reducing conversion costs. Process designs and preliminary economic estimates for each of these pathway cases were developed using rigorous modeling tools (Aspen Plus and Chemcad). These analyses incorporated the best information available at the time of development, including data from recent pilot and bench-scale demonstrations, collaborative industrial and academic partners, and published literature and patents. This pathway case investigates the upgrading of biomass derived synthesis gas (‘syngas’) to hydrocarbon biofuels. While this specific discussion focuses on the conversion of syngas via a methanol intermediate to hydrocarbon blendstocks, there are a number of alternative conversion routes for production of hydrocarbons through a wide array of intermediates from syngas. Future work will also consider the variations to this pathway to determine the most economically viable and risk adverse conversion route. Technical barriers and key research needs have been identified that should be pursued for the syngas to hydrocarbon pathway to be competitive with petroleum-derived gasoline, diesel and jet range blendstocks.

Authors:
; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1073587
Report Number(s):
PNNL-22323
BM0106000
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
Biomass, syngas, hydrocarbon fuels, conversion, techo-economics

Citation Formats

Talmadge, M, Biddy, Mary J, Dutta, Abhijit, Jones, Susanne B, and Meyer, Pimphan A. Syngas Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels Technology Pathway. United States: N. p., 2013. Web. doi:10.2172/1073587.
Talmadge, M, Biddy, Mary J, Dutta, Abhijit, Jones, Susanne B, & Meyer, Pimphan A. Syngas Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels Technology Pathway. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1073587
Talmadge, M, Biddy, Mary J, Dutta, Abhijit, Jones, Susanne B, and Meyer, Pimphan A. 2013. "Syngas Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels Technology Pathway". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/1073587. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1073587.
@article{osti_1073587,
title = {Syngas Upgrading to Hydrocarbon Fuels Technology Pathway},
author = {Talmadge, M and Biddy, Mary J and Dutta, Abhijit and Jones, Susanne B and Meyer, Pimphan A},
abstractNote = {In support of the Bioenergy Technologies Office, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are undertaking studies of biomass conversion technologies to hydrocarbon fuels to identify barriers and target research toward reducing conversion costs. Process designs and preliminary economic estimates for each of these pathway cases were developed using rigorous modeling tools (Aspen Plus and Chemcad). These analyses incorporated the best information available at the time of development, including data from recent pilot and bench-scale demonstrations, collaborative industrial and academic partners, and published literature and patents. This pathway case investigates the upgrading of biomass derived synthesis gas (‘syngas’) to hydrocarbon biofuels. While this specific discussion focuses on the conversion of syngas via a methanol intermediate to hydrocarbon blendstocks, there are a number of alternative conversion routes for production of hydrocarbons through a wide array of intermediates from syngas. Future work will also consider the variations to this pathway to determine the most economically viable and risk adverse conversion route. Technical barriers and key research needs have been identified that should be pursued for the syngas to hydrocarbon pathway to be competitive with petroleum-derived gasoline, diesel and jet range blendstocks.},
doi = {10.2172/1073587},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1073587}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Mar 31 00:00:00 EDT 2013},
month = {Sun Mar 31 00:00:00 EDT 2013}
}