Process Synthesis and Technoeconomic Evaluation for Value Added Chemicals from Lignocellulose

Abstract

To fulfil our ever-increasing energy and product needs, we exceedingly depend on fossil resources. However, fossil resources are non-renewable and their availability is irrevocably decreasing. This has motivated the advancement of alternative renewable resources as a replacement. As the only renewable source of fixed carbon, biomass is a leading alternative for manufacture of conventional fuels and petrochemical products. This MEng work focuses on the Biofine process, a famous near-commercial lignocellulose-fractionating technology that produces levulinic acid. We identify and address knowledge gaps in this process using process design and synthesis principles. First, we develop an understanding of the physical properties of chemicals involved. We identify two azeotropes involving two of the main by-products. Next, we analyze the reactor system by performing simulations and comparing with available literature statistics. We identify several major discrepancies between simulated and reported data. To address these inconsistencies, we develop novel process configurations for the Biofine process and evaluate their performance using economics. Finally, we investigate the performance of Biofine process in an integrated biorefinery, where the final product is not levulinic acid. We develop novel process configurations for several lab- and pilot-scale technologies and analyze the economic feasibility of the biorefinery.