Chapter 2 - Biomass pyrolysis system based on life cycle assessment and Aspen plus analysis and kinetic modeling

Abstract

Due to the depletion of fossil fuel supplies and rising energy demands, green and renewable biofuels must be investigated. Although biomass-based fuels have the potential to replace fossil fuels, direct use is limited due to the low quality of the fuels and expensive process costs. Pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass provides an easy way to make bio-oil and other valuable hydrocarbons. Biofuel products are subjected to a life cycle assessment (LCA), which identifies the processes that significantly influence the environment. This chapter covers LCA focused on various geographic, technological, and environmental situations, including feedstock collection and supply, the facility itself, and the products’ end use. The various kinetic modeling used for the thermochemical process to determine the chemical reactions and make it easy to couple with other heat and mass transport models was presented in this chapter. Also, in this chapter, Aspen plus, a simulation software, predicting the pyrolysis behavior using mass and energy balances, phase and chemical equilibrium, and reaction kinetics were discussed. They can simulate actual process behavior with reliable thermodynamic data and realistic operating conditions. Thus simulation and modeling help us to identify the suitable process conditions and variables for the economic thermochemical process with better yield and quality. The last part of this chapter discusses applications of biomass pyrolysis products, such as bio-oil and biochar.