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Process modeling of comprehensive integrated forest biorefinery--an integrated approach
Hua-Jiang Huang1, Weilu Lin, Shri Ramaswamy
1Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, Kaufert Laboratory, 2004 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108, USA.
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
|January 24, 2009
Summary
Developing advanced biorefineries from forest resources is key to energy security. Process modeling shows this integrated approach is feasible for producing bioenergy and bioproducts cost-effectively.
Area of Science:
- Sustainable energy technologies
- Biomass conversion and utilization
- Forest products industry innovation
Background:
- Renewable bioresources are crucial for energy independence and reducing foreign oil reliance.
- Conventional forest product mills (pulp and paper) offer existing infrastructure for biorefineries.
- Integrated forest biorefineries can leverage existing infrastructure for cost-effective bioenergy and bioproduct production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a detailed process model for an integrated forest biorefinery.
- To evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental impacts of such biorefineries.
- To demonstrate the feasibility of using existing forest industry infrastructure for advanced biorefining.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a combination of Aspen Plus, WinGEMS, and Microsoft Excel for detailed process simulation.
- Developed a sophisticated communication interface between the three simulation software.
- Performed a preliminary case study of a simple integrated biorefinery.
Main Results:
- Preliminary results indicate the feasibility of the integrated forest biorefinery approach.
- The process modeling successfully simulated the entire biorefinery operations.
- Demonstrated a cost-effective pathway for bioenergy and bioproduct generation.
Conclusions:
- The integrated forest biorefinery model is a feasible approach for expanding domestic bioenergy production.
- Leveraging existing forest industry infrastructure presents a cost-effective strategy.
- Further research is needed for comprehensive integration and exploring additional process options.
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