Publication
Title
Integrated techno-economic assessment of a biorefinery process : the high-end valorization of the lignocellulosic fraction in wood streams
Author
Abstract
A new lignin first biorefinery with a reductive catalytic fractionation process, which targets the valorization of the lignin and the carbohydrate fraction into higher value end-products, is currently being designed. To identify the various R&D drivers for projects with a low technology readiness level (TRL), we developed an integrated techno-economic assessment (TEA) that directly integrates the results of lab studies with economic costs and benefits. Furthermore, different linkages are made to upstream wood availability and downstream demand to understand its fit into existing wood value chains. By making the relations across the wood value chain explicit within the integrated TEA, we find that the scale of the plant, the feedstock-specific output quantities, and output prices highly determine the economic feasibility. Furthermore, this detailed analysis reveals the importance of assessing different types of feedstock. If only virgin wood is available as feedstock, minimum capacity levels between 190 and 234 kilotons per year are needed for the investment to be profitable. Waste wood proves to be the most profitable feedstock with an NPV of M(sic) 59 and an IRR of 26%. Using only waste wood as feedstock makes the investment profitable at a lower capacity level of 80 kilotons per year and economic shocks can be absorbed. Based on these results we show that an integrated and detailed TEA is indispensable to define future development paths for early-stage, innovative technologies. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of cleaner production / Masson. - Science citation index
Publication
Science citation index : 2020
ISSN
0959-6526
DOI
10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2020.122022
Volume/pages
266 (2020) , p. 1-11
Article Reference
122022
ISI
000573461000008
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Cooperative real options games in environmental economics.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 09.07.2020
Last edited 29.12.2024
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