Abstract
Utilizing lignin feedstock along with cellulosic ethanol for the production of high-energy-density jet fuel offers a significant opportunity to enhance the overall operation efficiency, carbon conversion efficiency, economic viability, and sustainability of biofuel and chemical production. A patented catalytic process to produce lignin-substructure-based hydrocarbons in the jet-fuel range from lignin was developed. Comprehensive techno-economic analysis of this process was conducted through process simulation in this study. The discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFROR) method was used to evaluate a 2000 dry metric ton/day lignocellulosic ethanol biorefinery with the co-production of lignin jet fuel. The minimum selling price of lignin jet fuel at a 10% discount rate was estimated to be in the range of $6.35–$1.76/gal depending on the lignin and conversion rate and capacity. With a production capacity of 1.5–16.6 million gallon jet fuel per year, capital costs ranged from $38.0 to $39.4 million. On the whole, the co-production of jet fuel from lignin improved the overall economic viability of an integrated biorefinery process for corn ethanol production by raising co-product revenue from jet fuels.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 486-501 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/JA-5100-73018
Keywords
- biomass
- ethanol biorefinery
- jet fuel
- lignin
- techno-economic analysis