Development and techno-economic evaluation of a biorefinery based on biomass (waste) streams

Abstract

We investigate the technical and economic advantages of combining conversion technologies primarily based on regional biomass residue streams into a multi-dimensional plant. On top, the main drivers of profitability are identified. The main objective is to show how locally available biomass is used to its full potential as source for renewable energy and bio-based products. The methodology used, consist of three consecutive steps: (1) inventory of the local situation, (2) development of the biorefinery concept, and (3) techno-economic evaluation of the concept. Using a case study in Moerdijk (southern part of the Netherlands), we illustrate that it is technically and economically feasible to develop a biorefinery that uses the biomass in a more efficient way. The key conversion processes in the case study are grass refinery, anaerobic digestion, and pyrolysis; expanded with bio-diesel production. From this analysis it seems that (1) the amount of pyrolysis oil, (2) the price of the pyrolysis oil, (3) the investment cost of the digester, (4) the price of the bio-diesel and (5) the amount of bio-diesel have the highest influence on the variance in the NPV. Our results are of interest for researchers and companies involved in the conversion of biomass.