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Techno-economic analysis of a kraft pulp-mill-based biorefinery producing both ethanol and dimethyl ether

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  • Fornell, Rickard
  • Berntsson, Thore
  • Åsblad, Anders

Abstract

A conceptual biorefinery, based on repurposing a kraft pulp mill, has been studied. In the process an alkaline pre-treatment unit separates the incoming wood raw-material to a cellulose-rich pulp and a residue liquor containing dissolved lignin. The pulp is sent to an ethanol line, while the liquor is gasified and refined to dimethyl ether. The concept has been designed and assessed from an energy and economic point-of-view. The results of the study indicate that the process can be self-sufficient in terms of hot utility (fresh steam) demand. There will be a deficit of electricity, however. The economic assessment shows that the process can be feasible, but that the economic outcome is highly dependent on the development of biofuel prices, and if the investment in this type of biorefinery is seen as a high risk investment or not. It is also shown that CO2 capture and storage can be interesting in this type of biorefinery due to the low cost of capturing CO2 in the process.

Suggested Citation

  • Fornell, Rickard & Berntsson, Thore & Åsblad, Anders, 2013. "Techno-economic analysis of a kraft pulp-mill-based biorefinery producing both ethanol and dimethyl ether," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 83-92.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:50:y:2013:i:c:p:83-92
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.11.041
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    3. Pettersson, Karin & Wetterlund, Elisabeth & Athanassiadis, Dimitris & Lundmark, Robert & Ehn, Christian & Lundgren, Joakim & Berglin, Niklas, 2015. "Integration of next-generation biofuel production in the Swedish forest industry – A geographically explicit approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 317-332.
    4. Akbari, Maryam & Oyedun, Adetoyese Olajire & Kumar, Amit, 2018. "Ammonia production from black liquor gasification and co-gasification with pulp and waste sludges: A techno-economic assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 133-143.
    5. Magdalena Fallde & Johan Torén & Elisabeth Wetterlund, 2017. "Energy System Models as a Means of Visualising Barriers and Drivers of Forest-Based Biofuels: An Interview Study of Developers and Potential Users," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-19, October.
    6. Kansha, Yasuki & Ishizuka, Masanori & Song, Chunfeng & Tsutsumi, Atsushi, 2015. "Process intensification for dimethyl ether production by self-heat recuperation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 122-127.
    7. Aui, A. & Wang, Y. & Mba-Wright, M., 2021. "Evaluating the economic feasibility of cellulosic ethanol: A meta-analysis of techno-economic analysis studies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    8. Gutiérrez, R.E. & Guerra, K. & Haro, P., 2022. "Exploring the techno-economic feasibility of new bioeconomy concepts: Solar-assisted thermochemical biorefineries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    9. Kumar, Vineet & Malyan, Sandeep Kumar & Apollon, Wilgince & Verma, Pradeep, 2024. "Valorization of pulp and paper industry waste streams into bioenergy and value-added products: An integrated biorefinery approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).

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