Simulation and Performance Analysis of Integrated Gasification–Syngas Fermentation Plant for Lignocellulosic Ethanol Production

Sahar Safarian,Christiaan Richter,Runar Unnthorsson

doi:10.3390/fermentation6030068

Abstract

This study presents a new simulation model developed with ASPEN Plus of waste biomass gasification integrated with syngas fermentation and product recovery units for bioethanol production from garden waste as a lignocellulosic biomass. The simulation model includes three modules: gasification, fermentation, and ethanol recovery. A parametric analysis is carried out to investigate the effect of gasification temperature (500–1500 °C) and equivalence ratio (0.2–0.6) on the gasification performance and bioethanol production yield. The results reveal that, for efficient gasification and high ethanol production, the operating temperature range should be 700–1000 °C, as well as an equivalence ratio between 0.2 and 0.4. At optimal operating conditions, the bioethanol production yield is 0.114 kg/h per 1 kg/h input garden waste with 50% moisture content. It is worth mentioning that this parameter increases to 0.217 kgbioethanol/kggarden waste under dry-based conditions.

Highlights

In order to prevent dangerous climate change, the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions to net zero or even negative
The objective of the present study was the development of a new computer model using the simulation software ASPEN Plus for the integrated gasification, syngas fermentation, and product purification units for ethanol production from garden waste as a model lignocellulosic biomass
The developed model for waste biomass gasification integrated with syngas fermentation and bioethanol production was used to investigate the gasification performance of garden waste as a lignocellulosic biomass

Summary

Introduction

In order to prevent dangerous climate change, the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions to net zero or even negative. Many experts suggest that we need to completely phase out fossil fuels and replace them with local and renewable energy sources like solar, biofuel, and wind energy [1,2,3,4]. Among the different renewable energy sources, biomass is one of the most promising alternative energy sources considered to be used instead of conventional ones [5,6,7]. 10% is biofuel energy from the fermentation of corn and sugarcane. The key to overcome these challenges is using lignocellulosic biomasses as the most viable option for bioethanol production. Lignocellulosic ethanol (bioethanol) is one of the most important sources of advanced biofuels due to its promising feedstock availability and low production costs [9,10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion