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

Abstract

AbstractThis work describes in detail one potential conversion process for the production of high‐octane gasoline blendstock via indirect liquefaction of biomass. The processing steps of this pathway include the conversion of biomass to synthesis gas via indirect gasification, 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 configuration has similarities to conventional methanol‐to‐gasoline (MTG) technologies, but there are key distinctions, specifically 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 quantified 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. A simple blending strategy is proposed to demonstrate the potential for blending the biomass‐derived blendstock with petroleum‐derived intermediates. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Industrial Chemistry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.