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Title: Conceptual process design and economics for the production of high-octane gasoline blendstock via indirect liquefaction of biomass through methanol/dimethyl ether intermediates

Journal Article · · Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1611· OSTI ID:1236955
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [1]
  1. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  2. Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  3. DWH Process Consulting LLC, Centennial, CO (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

This paper describes in detail one potential conversion process for the production of highoctane gasoline blendstock via indirect liquefaction of biomass. The processing steps of this pathway include the conversion of biomass to synthesis gas via indirect gasifi cation, gas clean-up via reforming of tars and other hydrocarbons, catalytic conversion of syngas to methanol, methanol dehydration to dimethyl ether (DME), and the homologation of DME over a zeolite catalyst to high-octane gasoline range hydrocarbon products. The current process confi guration has similarities to conventional methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) technologies, but there are key distinctions, specifi cally regarding the product slate, catalysts, and reactor conditions. A techno-economic analysis is performed to investigate the production of high-octane gasoline blendstock. The design features a processing daily capacity of 2000 tonnes (2205 short tons) of dry biomass. The process yields 271 liters of liquid fuel per dry tonne of biomass (65 gal/dry ton), for an annual fuel production rate of 178 million liters (47 MM gal) at 90% on-stream time. The estimated total capital investment for an nth-plant is $438 million. The resulting minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) is $0.86 per liter or $3.25 per gallon in 2011 US dollars. A rigorous sensitivity analysis captures uncertainties in costs and plant performance. Sustainability metrics for the conversion process are quantifi ed and assessed. The potential premium value of the high-octane gasoline blendstock is examined and found to be at least as competitive as fossil-derived blendstocks.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Sustainable Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308; AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1236955
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1243215
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5100-65305; PNNL-SA-113776
Journal Information:
Biofuels, Bioproducts & Biorefining, Vol. 10, Issue 1; Related Information: Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining; ISSN 1932-104X
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 35 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (15)

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Cited By (5)

Bio-based polymers production in a kraft lignin biorefinery: techno-economic assessment: Bio-based polymer production in a kraft lignin biorefinery journal November 2017
Rail road tie preservative recovery and conversion to hydrocarbon fuels: a conceptual process design and economics: Process design and economics rail road tie conversion journal June 2018
An integrated sustainability evaluation of high‐octane gasoline production from lignocellulosic biomass journal August 2019
Methanol to high-octane gasoline within a market-responsive biorefinery concept enabled by catalysis journal July 2019
Synthesis of Dimethyl Ether from Syngas on the Catalysts with the ZSM-5 Zeolites journal November 2018

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Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
biomass
thermochemical conversion
indirect gasification
dimethyl ether homologation
high-octane gasoline
process design
techno-economic analysis
sustainability