Renewable transport fuel production combined with cogeneration plant operation and waste heat recovery in district heating system

Abstract

For the future energy markets, where the role of fossil fuels will be minimized and district heating systems will become more efficient through the use of waste streams, a new concept is proposed based on tri-generation of Fischer–Tropsch (FT) products, heat, and power. The challenge of combining the transport sector with a District Heating (DH) network and power grid is presented in this article by discussing the operating modes of the gasifier, FT product output (as a raw material for refinery) and waste stream generated after the synthesis reactor, preliminary process management schemes, market factors, and economic attractiveness. The feasibility of the concept was examined for an existing combined heat and power plant in Lithuania, which could become a potential demo plant. To demonstrate the feasibility of this concept, which may help create independence from fossil fuels through the use of syngas (for a sudden increase in heat demand), a techno-economic assessment was performed. The analysis of various scenarios showed that the cost of the FT product may be between 0.67 and 1.47 €/kg for gasifier capacities ranging from 10 to 40 MW. However, the economic attractiveness assessment revealed that the concept is profitable at a liquid biofuel (FT product) prime cost below 1.07 €/kg (without electrolysis capability).