Feedstock Type Research Articles

Bioprocessing to upcycle agro-industrial and food wastes into high-nutritional value animal feed for sustainable food and agriculture systems

The ever-increasing demand of food and feed along with enormous amounts of losses, wastes, and discards from agricultural and food supply chain have caused numerous socioeconomic and sustainability challenges. Many of these agro-industrial by-products and food wastes have low nutritional and economic value. Examples of these types of feedstocks include biofuel co-products (e.g. distiller grains, sugarcane bagasse), agro-industrial processing wastes (e.g. oil seed meal, soybean hulls, sugar beet pulp), crop residues (e.g. wheat straw, corn stover) and fruit and vegetables discards. Using feed grade fungi, yeast, bacteria, and enzymes to process (bioprocess) low-valued feedstocks improves protein quality, degrades lignin and improves utilization of dietary fiber for energy, improves phosphorous digestibility, and reduces anti-nutritional factors (e.g., mycotoxins) to permanently change the composition of the feedstocks and improve their feeding value for livestock, and therefore, achieving a sustainable food supply system with reduced carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus footprint. The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of the challenges and potential use of current agro-industrial and food wastes as animal feed ingredients using bioprocessing to improve their feeding value. Highlights from three case studies on bioprocessing of corn-distiller grains, oil seed meals, crop/wood residues with fruit and vegetable discards will be discussed relative to changes in feeding value and contributions toward achieving a more circular and sustainable food supply chain.

Mitigating Soil Erosion through Biomass-Derived Biochar: Exploring the Influence of Feedstock Types and Pyrolysis Temperature

Soil erosion is one of the major emerging threats to the Himalayan ecosystem. There is a dearth of diverse, cost-effective erosion control measures in the region. In the Himalayan region, where agriculture plays a pivotal role in local livelihoods and environmental stability, the management of soil erosion is of paramount importance. Hence, this study investigates the impact of biochar application on soil erosion and its related indices in the temperate Himalayas of India. This study employs a combination of physicochemical analysis and field experiments to assess the influence of biochar on soil erodibility. The research objectives include an examination of the influence of different temperature pyrolyzed biomasses and varying application rates on soil erodibility indices, viz., dispersion ratio (DR), percolation ratio (PR), clay ratio (CR), erosion ratio (ER), and mean weight diameter (MWD), considering two distinct fertilizer regimes. This study yielded quantitative results that shed light on the impact of various soil amendments and application rates on soil erodibility in the temperate Himalayas. Results showed that the mean values of the DR exhibited by amendment levels NB, AB400, AB600, RAC, DW400, DW600, and RDW were 0.37, 0.35, 0.51, 0.44, 0.51, 0.47, and 0.91, respectively. The mean values of DR for different amendment levels varied, with RDW exhibiting the highest erodibility at 0.91, while DW400 and DW600 demonstrated less soil disturbance, making them promising choices for soil erosion mitigation. Notably, the application of pyrolyzed weed residue improved soil erodibility, whereas AB600 resulted in increased soil erosion due to aggregate disintegration, as indicated by the MWD. Aquatic weed residues and apple wood chips applied without pyrolysis increased the soil erodibility, while pyrolyzed residues improved soil erodibility. The DR was 0.41 at the high application rate, 0.48 at the medium rate, and 0.61 at the low application rate. Among application rates, low rates (1 t ha−1) had the highest DR, followed by medium rates (2 t ha−1) and high rates (3 t ha−1). The no-fertilizer level exhibited higher DR (0.49) compared to the fertilized level (0.38). Results inferred that the application of AB400 °C at 3 t ha−1 can be adopted to minimize soil erosion and maintain ecological security in the temperate Himalayas.

Life cycle assessment of novel thermochemical – biochemical biomass-to-liquid pathways for sustainable aviation and maritime fuel production

This paper aims to carry out an integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of a novel thermochemical-biochemical biomass-to-liquid pathway for sustainable aviation and maritime biofuel production. Five scenarios are defined, consideringdifferent types of biomass feedstock and biorefinery locations, in different geographically dispersed European countries. The results indicate that the replacement of conventional aviation and maritime fuels with sustainable biofuels could reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG) by 60–86%, based on feedstock type. When the renewable share in the electricity mix reaches 100% (in 2050), the GHG emissions will experience a great decrease (26% − 68%), compared to 2022 levels. The non-renewable energy consumption will also decrease (by 56% − 83%), with results strongly affected by the electricity mix of the European country considered. This study demonstrates that the deployment of biomass-to-jet/marine fuel pathways could favor the industrial adoption of circular economy strategies for transport biofuels production.

Sustainability of large-scale commercial biogas plants in Nepal

Interest in large-scale compressed biogas (CBG) and biogas for electricity generation is increasing due to these technologies’ potential for addressing dual energy and waste management challenges. However, sustainable operation of large-scale commercial biogas plants requires attention to numerous factors, including technical aspects (feedstock types, plant size, operational parameters, and biogas and fertilizer utilization strategies), costs (capital investment and operational), and affordability, as affected also by subsidies. This study conducts a case study of the sustainability of an existing operational large-scale biogas plant in Nepal, considering its operational condition, financial status, and environmental benefits under designed capacity and actual operating conditions. Design parameters related to biogas and digestate production, financial viability, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction potential were compared with the realized outcomes of the plant. Operational and financial data for the plant were obtained through visits to the plant supplemented by interviews of the plant manager. The analysis reveals that both the feedstock and digester efficiencies are much lower than the design expectations, by 55% and 62%, respectively. This has led to reductions in the production of biogas and biofertilizers by 72% and 90%, respectively. Moreover, while the internal rate of return (IRR) of the plant at design capacity was 23%, it is indeterminate for the actual operating condition, as the net present value is negative for all discount rates. The biogas plant does generate environmental benefits; the GHG emissions avoided are estimated to be around 274 tons of CO2 equivalent per year under the actual operating conditions. Given these results, it is clear that improving the operational performance of large-scale biogas plants in contexts such as this one should be a priority. Moreover, the findings can help policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders make better plans for future development of biogas facilities, insisting on more realistic and careful assessments of technical and financial viability.

Sustainable manufacture and application of biochar to improve soil properties and remediate soil contaminated with organic impurities: a systematic review

Biochar production and application have become increasingly popular in the past 15 years. Biochar, derived from diverse biomass types, offers a rich carbon source created through thermal combustion. Biochar production primarily depends on pyrolysis conditions and feedstock type. This review focuses on the multifaceted aspects of biochar, encompassing hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, and pyrolysis temperatures in biochar production and its role in bioeconomy and soil remediation. Biochar has yielded valuable insights, notably in decreasing nutrient leaching, curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reducing the bioavailability of environmental pollutants, sequestering carbon (C) in soils, and enhancing agricultural productivity. Consequently, it has emerged as a valuable commodity for the bioeconomy, which involves harnessing bioresources through bioengineering to create economically valuable products. As a marketable output, biochar finds application in energy, diverse biochar-based product manufacturing, and the agricultural sector. Thus, biochar production not only enhances soil quality but also unlocks additional revenue streams. This review underscores the critical role of feedstock selection and pyrolysis conditions in optimizing biochar production. Furthermore, it highlights biochar as a sustainable and effective tool for improving various soil types and remediating soil contamination caused by organic impurities, including persistent organic compounds and antibiotics.

Impact of biochar particle size and feedstock type on hydro-physical properties of sandy soil

Abstract Biochar, as an organic amendment, could positively change soil properties, especially soil with low organic matter and/or poor structure. Biochar application in sandy soil with low organic matter could be an effective tool for improving hydro-physical parameters of the soil economically and ecologically as well. The effect on bulk density, particle density, porosity, saturated hydraulic conductivity and available water content for plants of two biochar types applied at three different particle sizes in a sandy soil was examined. The results confirmed previous studies, showing decreased bulk density, particle density and saturated hydraulic conductivity and partially increased available water content for plants and porosity. Both biochar type and particle size affected the studied soil hydro-physical parameters. After analysis and comparison of two different types of biochar and three particle sizes, the most effective treatment for sandy soil was proved by the biochar produced from willow with the smallest particle size (<125 µm).

Additive Manufacturing of Titanium Alloys: Processability, Properties, and Applications

The restricted number of materials available for additive manufacturing (AM) technologies is a determining impediment to AM growing into sectors and providing supply chain relief. AM, in particular, is regarded as a trustworthy manufacturing technology to replace the traditional ones for Ti alloy components. Furthermore, the AM processability of Ti alloys and their features, such as microstructure, texture, and mechanical properties, is strongly dependent on the chemical composition of the processed alloy. It is essential to consider the ultimate applications as well. β Ti alloys are gaining popularity in the biomedical industry, while α + β Ti alloys are increasingly utilized for producing components in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Consequently, the topic has garnered considerable interest, and the current text reviews the advances during the last 10 years in this area to facilitate the pathway from the demanded Ti alloy to the best‐fit AM procedure. While systematically reviewing the works published in the literature, the current text attempts to establish a link between the production method, feedstock type, chemical composition, and the ultimate application. This review also features practical applications of Ti components produced by metal AM methods and offers prospective possibilities and industrial applications.

AAEM Species Migration/Transformation during Co-Combustion of Carbonaceous Feedstocks and Synergy Behavior on Co-Combustion Reactivity: A Critical Review

Co-combustion is a crucial route for the high-efficiency utilization and clean conversion of different carbonaceous feedstocks (biomass, coal, petroleum coke, etc.). The migration and transformation of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) are not only related to ash-related issues in actual application, but also directly affect the reaction behavior of binary particles during co-conversion. This review paper summarizes research progress in the detection methods (online and offline) and influencing factors (feedstock type, feedstock blending ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time) of AAEMs migration and transformation during the co-combustion of carbonaceous feedstocks. Furthermore, it provides a detailed summary of research progress on factors (feedstock blending ratio, heating rate, etc.) influencing the co-combustion reactivity of carbonaceous feedstocks, synergy behavior, and its mechanisms. The influence of feedstock type on AAEMs migration and transformation during co-combustion is mainly related to the composition categories, chemical forms and contents of intrinsic mineral in binary feedstocks. The increase in the combustion temperature will intensify the release of inherent AAEMs in carbonaceous feedstocks, and promote AAEM deactivation. For high K and Cl-containing biomass, a higher biomass proportion in blends would result in more AAEMs release during the co-combustion process. Conversely, an increase in coal proportion in blends will directly favor the reduction or inhibition of AAEMs release. Synergy behavior during co-pyrolysis and subsequent char co-combustion is usually presented as an inhibition effect and an synergistic effect, respectively. The synergistic mechanisms of carbonaceous feedstock co-combustion reactions can be divided into two categories: non-catalytic synergistic mechanisms related to the excitation and migration of biomass-based free radicals and catalytic synergistic mechanisms related to biomass-based AAEMs catalysis. Additionally, future research prospects are also proposed based on the systematic review.

Exploring Esterification and Pyrolysis Pathways for Sustainable Biofuel and Biomass Production

Abstract: The recent Years Increase the demand of the biofuels along with need of reduce the production cost of Improving the environmental sustainability of the biomass production or the biofuels. Biomass is on area of importance to reduce the overall uses of fossil fuels. In which the focusing the kinetic properties or the optical property of the production of the Biofuel or Biomass production. Process optimization and reaction kinetic model development were carried out for two stage esterification transesterifications... reactions of waste biomass. This study focused on these traditional processes due to their techno- economic feasibility- Which is an important factor before deciding on a type of Feedstock for Industrilisation.Since esterification reactions are acid catalyzed the synthesis of an efficient acidic catalyst will be very helpful for pretreatment. esterification of acetic acid which was used model reaction in Stabilization of biomass. The esterification is a potential route to remove the organic acid in biomass reacting them with alcohol Present in biomass with added alcohol. Water is a product of the esterification reaction. The concentration of acetic acid used to acidification; acetic acid is a common chemical species in biomass & was used as the model compound. The research compared the quality of slow pyrolysis produced. biomass collected. by condensing pyrolysis vapor using atomized ethanol (EtOH).Were also carried out for the analysis of biomass produced.

Synthesis of graphene oxide from biomass waste: Characterization and volatile organic compounds removal

This research study focuses on analyzing the effects of graphene oxide (GO) synthesized from subabul, pine, and copperpod biomass waste for the adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Five different VOCs i.e., benzene, xylene, carbon tetrachloride, n-hexane, and toluene were utilized for the sorption experiment. A modified Hummers process was carried out for the successful GO production from biomass waste and the obtained GO was confirmed using SEM, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, and XRD. The existence of 2D-mode and G-mode in Raman spectroscopy as well as O-H and C=O groups in the FTIR confirmed the GO synthesis. The sorption efficiency of SGO, PGO, and CGO for different VOCs was in the range 82–146, 74–144, and 126–166 mg g−1, respectively. The sorption of VOCs was also affected by feedstock type, contact time, and dose of GO. The sorption efficiency of GO increased with a long contact time and higher surface area. Furthermore, for statistical analysis, ANOVA was used. For the kinetics of VOCs sorption, the pseudo-second-order model was utilized, which well fitted with the findings of this research study. The excellent sorption performance of GO produced from biomass waste made it a potential adsorbent for the sorption of VOCs.

Nitrogen availability in digestates from full-scale biogas plants following soil application as affected by operation parameters and input feedstocks

Biogas operation parameters are usually optimised to enhance biogas yields while ignoring digestate quality. This study evaluated the effects of varying operation parameters and input feedstocks used in co-digestion with manure on digestate properties and N turnover in soil for 80 days. Net inorganic N release (% of N input) from digestates varied significantly (p < 0.001) due to their contrasting properties. Temperature, hydraulic retention time (HRT), manure type and input feedstocks significantly influenced soil inorganic N release. Animal slurry co-digested with energy crops had the highest average net soil inorganic N release at 67 %, while co-digestion with straw-based feedstock had the lowest at 56 %. Feedstock type greatly influenced the choice of digesting temperature and HRT, with most energy crop-based feedstocks digested at <50 days HRT. Digestate properties NH4+ -N/total N, C/N and total carbon concentration significantly influenced net inorganic N release in soil. A better understanding of the effects of biogas operation variables on nutrient availability and digestate fertilising properties could help design and optimise the anaerobic digestion process to increase biogas yields and N fertiliser value of the digestates.

Characteristics and phytotoxicity of hydrochar-derived dissolved organic matter: Effects of feedstock type and hydrothermal temperature

The dissolved organic matter (DOM) with high mobility and reactivity plays a crucial role in soil. In this study, the characteristics and phytotoxicity of DOM released from the hydrochars prepared from different feedstocks (cow manure, corn stalk and Myriophyllum aquaticum) under three hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) temperatures (180, 200 and 220°C) were evaluated. The results showed that the hydrochars had high dissolved organic carbon content (20.15 to 37.65 mg/g) and its content showed a gradual reduction as HTC temperature increased. Three fluorescent components including mixed substance of fulvic acid-like and humic acid-like substances (C1, 30.92%-58.32%), UVA humic acid-like substance (C2, 25.27%-29.94%) and protein-like substance (C3, 11.74%-41.92%) were identified in hydrochar DOM by excitation emission matrix spectra coupled with parallel factor analysis. High HTC temperature increased the relative proportion of aromatic substances (C1+C2) and humification degree of hydrochar DOM from cow manure, while it presented adverse effects on the hydrochar DOM from corn stalk and Myriophyllum. aquaticum. The principal component analysis suggested that feedstock type and HTC temperature posed significant effects on the characteristics of hydrochar DOM. Additionally, seed germination test of all hydrochar DOM demonstrated that the root length was reduced by 8.88%-26.43% in contrast with control, and the germination index values were 73.57%-91.12%. These findings provided new insights into the potential environmental effects for hydrochar application in soil.

Nano-Additive Manufacturing and Non-Destructive Testing of Nanocomposites.

In the present work, the recent advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) techniques for fabricating nanocomposite parts with complex shaped structures are explained, along with defect non-destructive testing (NDT) methods. A brief overview of the AM processes for nanocomposites is presented, grouped by the type of feedstock used in each technology. This work also reviews the defects in nanocomposites that can affect the quality of the final product. Additionally, a detailed description of X-CT, ultrasonic phased array technology, and infrared thermography is provided, highlighting their potential application in non-destructive inspection of nanocomposites in the future. Lastly, it concludes by offering recommendations for the development of NDT methods specifically tailored for nanocomposites, emphasizing the need to utilize NDT methods for optimizing nano-additive manufacturing process parameters, developing new NDT techniques, and enhancing the resolution of existing NDT methods.

Influence of Biochar on Growth, Yield and Quality of Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the most important, nutrient-rich vegetables among cole crops which belong to the family Brassicaceae. It is known to be a healthy and delectable vegetable which is rich in many nutrients. Biochar is considered as a potential substitute for soil organic matter (SOM). Biochar addition to low organic carbon soils can act as a feasible solution to keep soil biologically active for the cycling of different nutrients. The application of biochar could improve soil fertility, increase crop yield, enhance plant growth and microbialabundance, and immobilize different contaminants in the soil. Due to thelarge surface area of biochar, which generally depends upon the types of feedstock and pyrolysis conditions, it helps to reduce the leaching of fertilizers from the soil and supplies additional nutrientsto growing crops. In view of the above importance all possible issues related to biochar application should beconsidered. Previous literature review shows that applying biochar to the broccoli plant improved only the leaf area and root length with significant changes. The highest yield per plot (4.49 kg), bud weight (499.37g), bud diameter (16.55 cm), and yield per hectare (14.98 t ha-1) of broccoli was found to be significant in biochar treated plot (T2: PSB 100 L/ha + Biochar 30 t ha-1). Considering classification of the flowering heads by categories, M (manure pellet) + EB (enriched-biochar amended soil and organic fertilizer) + AND (manure pellet and enriched-biochar amended soil treated with organic fertilization) treatments showed a higher number of first category flowering heads with regard to other treatments. Therefore, the use of biochar is an effective approach for potential nutrient reservoir for plants and a good amendment to improve soil properties.

Enhancing the Potential of Polymer Composites Using Biochar as a Filler: A Review.

This article discusses the scope biochar's uses; biochar is a sustainable organic material, rich in carbon, that can be synthesized from various types of biomass feedstock using thermochemical reactions such as pyrolysis or carbonization. Biochar is an eco-friendly filler material that can enhance polymer composites' mechanical, thermal, and electrical performances. In comparison to three inorganic fillers, namely carbon black, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and carbon filaments, this paper explores the optimal operating conditions for regulating biochar's physical characteristics, including pore size, macro- and microporosity, and mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Additionally, this article presents a comparative analysis of biochar yield from various thermochemical processes. Moreover, the review examines how the surface functionality, surface area, and particle size of biochar can influence its mechanical and electrical performance as a filler material in polymer composites at different biochar loads. The study showcases the outstanding properties of biochar and recommends optimal loads that can improve the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polymer composites.

Development of computational approach for calculation of hydrogen solubility in hydrocarbons for treatment of petroleum

For hydrogenation process, knowing the solubility of hydrogen (H2) in hydrocarbons is critical to improve the efficiency of process. We investigated the H2 solubility computation in four heavy crude oil feedstocks using machine learning techniques. Temperature, pressure, and feedstock type were considered as the inputs to the models, while the hydrogen solubility was the sole response. Specifically, we employed three different models: Support Vector Regression (SVR), Gaussian process regression (GPR), and Bayesian ridge regression (BRR). To achieve the best performance, the hyper-parameters of these models optimized using the whale optimization algorithm (WOA). We evaluated the models using a dataset of solubility measurements in various feedstocks, and we compared their performance based on several metrics. Our results show that the WOA-SVR model tuned with WOA achieves the best performance overall, with a RMSE of 1.38 × 10−2 and an R-squared of 0.991. These findings suggest that machine learning techniques can provide accurate predictions of hydrogen solubility in different feedstocks, which could be useful in the development of hydrogen-related technologies. Besides, the solubility of hydrogen in the four heavy oil fractions are estimated in different ranges of temperatures and pressures of 150 °C–350 °C and 1.2 MPa–10.8 MPa, respectively.

Compressed biogas plants in India: Existing status, technological advances and challenges

The application of compressed biogas (CBG) in day-to-day livelihood has garnered significant attention in modern day era. It is considered as a potential solution to curb the increasing energy demand and other environmental concerns. The process involves anaerobic digestion (AD) (hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis) of organic substrate under an optimum operating condition (pH, temperature, etc.) via anaerobic microorganisms. This paper aims to describe some major facts about different technological options related to pre-treatment, AD, cleaning and up-gradation system. It also highlights the practical challenges related to high investment cost, inadequate infrastructure, clearance and approval issues, poor feedstock supply chain management etc. in adaption of CBG plants in India. The review examines the significance of both dry and wet continuous digester systems, which includes its advantages and challenges, considering factors, such as feedstock characteristics, process stability, and operational efficiency. It was also found that the type of feedstock and its availability in existing market plays a vital role in smooth functioning of CBG plants. Therefore, the study presents a comprehensive review discussing potential feedstock readily available for CBG plants in Indian market. It was concluded that the usage of agricultural waste (such as Napier grass) has higher CBG potential compared to other feedstock. At the same time, the study presents a broader aspect to policy makers and governing authorities to reframe the existing structure for financial assistantship, regulatory laws, subsidiary schemes etc. for CBG plant owners. It also gives an opportunity to technocrats, industrialist and investors to come-up with an indigenous technology with in-house manufacturing units to promote CBG production in India.

A Comprehensive Review in Microwave Pyrolysis of Biomass, Syngas Production and Utilisation

Lignocellulosic and waste materials, such as sewage sludge, can be broken down into its useful constituents and converted into fuel for engines. This paper investigates microwave pyrolysis to decompose biomass into H2 and CO (syngas), which may be catalysed in the Fischer–Tropsch (F-T) process to liquid biofuels. Using microwave radiation as the heat source for pyrolysis proves to yield large quantities of gas with higher concentrations of H2 and CO compared to conventional heating methods. This is largely due to the energy transfer mechanism of microwaves. Pyrolysis parameters such as temperature (which increases with input power), feedstock type, microwave absorber, and biomass moisture content influence syngas yield. Several papers reviewed for this study showed differing optimal conditions for microwave pyrolysis, all being heavily dependent on the biomass used and its composition. However, all researchers agreed on the thermal efficiency of microwave heating and how its material-selective nature can increase syngas yield. Compared to diesel fuels (while processing a similar efficiency and a higher cetane number), FT fuels and specifically pyrolysis may yield the benefit of reduced nitric oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), unburnt hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions.

Deep decarbonization and U.S. biofuels production: a coordinated analysis with a detailed structural model and an integrated multisectoral model

Scenarios for deep decarbonization involve biomass for biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts, and they often include negative emissions via carbon capture and storage or utilization. However, critical questions remain about the feasibility of rapid growth to high levels of biomass utilization, given biomass and land availability as well as historical growth rates of the biofuel industry. We address these questions through a unique coordinated analysis and comparison of carbon pricing effects on biomass utilization growth in the United States using a multisectoral integrated assessment model, the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM), and a biomass-to-biofuels system dynamics model, the Bioenergy Scenario Model (BSM). We harmonized and varied key factors—such as carbon prices, vehicle electrification, and arable land availability—in the two models. We varied the rate of biorefinery construction, the fungibility of feedstock types across conversion processes, and policy incentives in BSM. The rate of growth in biomass deployment under a carbon price in both models is within the range of current literature. However, the reallocation of land to biomass feedstocks would need to overcome bottlenecks to achieve growth consistent with deep decarbonization scenarios. Investments as a result of near-term policy incentives can develop technology and expand capacity—reducing costs, enabling flexibility in feedstock use, and improving stability—but if biomass demand is high, these investments might not overcome land reallocation bottlenecks. Biomass utilization for deep decarbonization relies on extraordinary growth in biomass availability and industrial capacity. In this paper, we quantify and describe the potential challenges of this rapid change.

Energetic Assessment of SCWG Experiments with Reed Canary Grass and Ethanol Solution on Laboratory and Pilot Scale

The energetic assessment of biomass conversion processes is important for evaluating their application potential. Process energy efficiency is often evaluated based on simulation results for processes under idealized conditions. The present work uses data from a laboratory plant to perform an evaluation of the supercritical water gasification (SCWG). For this purpose, experiments were conducted with two types of feedstock, Reed Canary Grass and ethanol. Under the present lab-plant configuration, a cold gas efficiency of up to 79% could be reached, which is comparable to the gasification of biomass in fluidized-bed gasifiers or entrained-flow gasifiers. Based on the obtained data on the produced substances and their distribution, a scale up to pilot plant size was conducted. A model was derived from the available data to energetically assess different SCWG plant sizes based on real laboratory results. This model can be transferred to other feedstocks and other process designs to approximate the optimal size for the used biomass feedstock. The importance of heat recuperation in this process is described in detail based on pilot-scale data.