Optimization of Pathways for Biorefineries Involving the Selection of Feedstocks, Products, and Processing Steps

This paper presents a systematic approach to identify the optimal pathway configurations of a biorefinery while incorporating technical, economic, and environmental objectives. This problem is formulated as a generalized disjunctive programming model which accounts for the simultaneous selection of products, feedstocks, and processing steps. The optimal solution can involve multiproduct and multifeedstock biorefineries. The optimization model takes into account two potentially conflicting objectives, the maximization of the net profit and the minimization of the greenhouse gas emissions, while considering the number of processing steps. The environmental criterion is measured using the life cycle assessment methodology. The e-constraint method is used to determine the Pareto curves of this multiobjective optimization problem and to show the trade-offs between the competing objectives. A case study is presented to illustrate the applicability of the proposed methodology for the optimal selection of the bio...

[1]  W. A. Marvin,et al.  Biorefinery location and technology selection through supply chain optimization , 2013 .

[2]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  A multi-criteria approach to screening alternatives for converting sewage sludge to biodiesel , 2010 .

[3]  Mingheng Li,et al.  A hierarchical optimization method for reaction path synthesis , 2000 .

[4]  R. Raman,et al.  Modelling and computational techniques for logic based integer programming , 1994 .

[5]  F. You,et al.  Optimal design of sustainable cellulosic biofuel supply chains: Multiobjective optimization coupled with life cycle assessment and input–output analysis , 2012 .

[6]  Arturo Jiménez-Gutiérrez,et al.  A Disjunctive Programming Model for Simultaneous Synthesis and Detailed Design of Cooling Networks , 2009 .

[7]  Johnathan E. Holladay,et al.  Top Value Added Chemicals From Biomass. Volume 1 - Results of Screening for Potential Candidates From Sugars and Synthesis Gas , 2004 .

[8]  R. B. Agnihotri,et al.  Reaction Path Synthesis in Industrial Chemistry , 1980 .

[9]  Kelly N. Ibsen,et al.  Lignocellulosic Biomass to Ethanol Process Design and Economics Utilizing Co-Current Dilute Acid Prehydrolysis and Enzymatic Hydrolysis for Corn Stover , 2002 .

[10]  Andrew G. Livingston,et al.  Reaction path synthesis for environmental impact minimization , 1997 .

[11]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  A Disjunctive Programming Formulation for the Optimal Design of Biorefinery Configurations , 2012 .

[12]  D. Adhikari,et al.  Biomass-based energy fuel through biochemical routes: A review , 2009 .

[13]  Mark Holtzapple,et al.  Techno-economic analysis of biomass to fuel conversion via the MixAlco process , 2010, Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology.

[14]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  A shortcut method for the preliminary synthesis of process-technology pathways: An optimization approach and application for the conceptual design of integrated biorefineries , 2011, Comput. Chem. Eng..

[15]  A. I. Torres,et al.  Engineering Biomass Conversion Processes: A Systems Perspective , 2013 .

[16]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  Design and analysis of biodiesel production from algae grown through carbon sequestration , 2010 .

[17]  R. Saxena,et al.  Bio-fuels from thermochemical conversion of renewable resources: A review , 2008 .

[18]  S. Adhikari,et al.  Biorefineries: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Direction , 2006 .

[19]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  A Systems Approach for Process Simplification through Process Integration , 2012 .

[20]  B. Kamm,et al.  Biorefineries--multi product processes. , 2007, Advances in biochemical engineering/biotechnology.

[21]  G. Powers,et al.  A Chemical Engineering View of Reaction Path Synthesis , 1977 .

[22]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  Incorporation of process integration into life cycle analysis for the production of biofuels , 2011 .

[23]  G. Stephanopoulos,et al.  Studies on the synthesis of chemical reaction paths—I: Reaction characteristics in the (ΔG, T) space and a primitive synthesis procedure , 1982 .

[24]  J. M. Ponce-Ortega,et al.  Optimal Planning of a Biomass Conversion System Considering Economic and Environmental Aspects , 2011 .

[25]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  Process analysis and optimization of biodiesel production from soybean oil , 2009 .

[26]  I. Grossmann,et al.  New algorithms for nonlinear generalized disjunctive programming , 2000 .

[27]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  Process synthesis and optimization of biorefinery configurations , 2012 .

[28]  A. Aden,et al.  An economic comparison of different fermentation configurations to convert corn stover to ethanol using Z. mobilis and Saccharomyces , 2009, Biotechnology progress.

[29]  Arthur W. Westerberg,et al.  A review of process synthesis , 1981 .

[30]  Aldo R. Vecchietti,et al.  Modeling of discrete/continuous optimization problems: characterization and formulation of disjunctions and their relaxations , 2003, Comput. Chem. Eng..

[31]  Wei Yuan,et al.  Optimal biorefinery product allocation by combining process and economic modeling , 2008 .

[32]  George Stephanopoulos,et al.  Studies on the synthesis of chemical reaction paths-II. reaction schemes with two degrees of freedom , 1989 .

[33]  A. Contin,et al.  Complementare/Lezione 2/Top Value-Added Chemicals from Biomass, Volume II: Results of Screening for Potential, Candidates from Biorefinery Lignin, PNNL-16983 (2007) , 2012 .

[34]  Dale F. Rudd,et al.  Development of Solvay clusters of chemical reactions , 1976 .

[35]  R. Saxena,et al.  Thermo-chemical routes for hydrogen rich gas from biomass: A review , 2008 .

[36]  A. Corma,et al.  Synthesis of transportation fuels from biomass: chemistry, catalysts, and engineering. , 2006, Chemical reviews.

[37]  Mahmoud M. El-Halwagi,et al.  Process intensification: New understanding and systematic approach , 2012 .