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Environmental and Economic Assessment of a Novel Solvolysis-Based Biorefinery Producing Lignin-Derived Marine Biofuel and Cellulosic Ethanol

Author

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  • Svetlana V. Obydenkova

    (Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials, Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Lucie V. E. Defauw

    (Maastricht Science Programme (MSP), Faculty of Science and Engineering, Maastricht University, 6229 EN Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Panos D. Kouris

    (Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • David M. J. Smeulders

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Michael D. Boot

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands)

  • Yvonne van der Meer

    (Aachen Maastricht Institute for Biobased Materials, Maastricht University, Urmonderbaan 22, 6167 RD Geleen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Methanol is considered to be a viable option for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in shipping, the second-highest emitter after road freight. However, the use of fossil methanol is insufficient to meet climate change targets, while renewable methanol is yet unavailable on a commercial scale. This paper presents a novel biorefinery concept based on biomass solvolysis to produce crude lignin oil (CLO) from forest residues, a drop-in biofuel for methanol-propelled ships, and evaluates its environmental and economic profiles. In the base scenario, CLO can achieve emission saving of 84% GHG compared to fossil alternatives, and a minimum selling price (MSP) of $821 per ton of methanol equivalent (ME), i.e., within the range of the current bio-methanol production costs. The emission of GHGs of co-produced ethanol can be reduced by 67% compared to fossil analogues. The increase of renewable electricity share to 75% is capable of shrinking emissions by 1/5 vs. the base case, while fossil methanol losses, e.g., of that in cellulose pulp, can boost emissions by 63%. Low-pressure steam use in the biomass pretreatment, as well as biorefinery capacity increase by a factor of 2.5, have the greatest potential to reduce MSP of CLO to $530 and $614 per ton of ME, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Svetlana V. Obydenkova & Lucie V. E. Defauw & Panos D. Kouris & David M. J. Smeulders & Michael D. Boot & Yvonne van der Meer, 2022. "Environmental and Economic Assessment of a Novel Solvolysis-Based Biorefinery Producing Lignin-Derived Marine Biofuel and Cellulosic Ethanol," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-29, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:14:p:5007-:d:858949
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christian Moretti & Blanca Corona & Robert Edwards & Martin Junginger & Alberto Moro & Matteo Rocco & Li Shen, 2020. "Reviewing ISO Compliant Multifunctionality Practices in Environmental Life Cycle Modeling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-24, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tomasz Cepowski & Paweł Kacprzak, 2024. "Reducing CO 2 Emissions through the Strategic Optimization of a Bulk Carrier Fleet for Loading and Transporting Polymetallic Nodules from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-30, July.
    2. Vasilakou, K. & Nimmegeers, P. & Billen, P. & Van Passel, S., 2023. "Geospatial environmental techno-economic assessment of pretreatment technologies for bioethanol production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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