A techno-economic analysis of thermochemical pathways for corncob-to-energy: Fast pyrolysis to bio-oil, gasification to methanol and combustion to electricity

Brigagão, George Victor; Araújo, Ofélia de Queiroz Fernandes; Medeiros, José Luiz de; Mikulčić, Hrvoje; Duić, Neven

doi:10.1016/j.fuproc.2019.05.011

Cited by 81 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 40 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The HHV recorded in this study is higher than 18.4 MJ/kg reported by Klass et al [33] (at 300 • C) using corncob of Canadian origin. However, lower than the 23.3 MJ/kg (at 250 • C) by Lu and Chen [31] using corncob of Taiwan origin, 28.85 MJ/kg (at 270 • C) by Brigagao [29] using corncob of China origin. The variation in the results might be due to composition and structural differences associated with the corncob or the methods of torrefaction adopted.…”

Section: Energy Density and Hhvmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…Based on the results of the TGA, the torrefaction was conducted between 200 and 300 • C. Previous torrefaction studies on corncob performed particle reduction before torrefaction [26][27][28][29][30][31][32]34,36,37], and reports have shown that particle size does not significantly affect the torrefaction process; therefore, the corncob was torrefied as received [11]. Therefore, in this study, the corncob was torrefied without performing particle reduction.…”

Section: Torrefaction Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies have been carried out on investigating combustion properties of corncob biomass from different origins via torrefaction, pyrolysis, and gasification for energy application. These include corncob of China [26][27][28][29][30], Taiwan [31], South Africa [32], Canada [33], Malaysia [34] and Nigeria [35][36][37] origins. However, there is still a need for further studies on the torrefaction of corncob for energy applications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Improving the Combustion Properties of Corncob Biomass via Torrefaction for Solid Fuel Applications

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The overdependence on fossils as the primary energy source has led to climate change, global warming, and the emission of greenhouse gas. As a result, the United Nations, while setting the goals for the year 2030, has made the provision of a green environment and energy one of the top priorities. In this study, the suitability of corncob for green energy production was investigated. The improvement of corncob’s thermal and combustion properties via the torrefaction process was considered for solid fuel applications. The raw corncob was collected, sorted, and dried for seven days before being used for the torrefaction experiment. Different torrefaction temperatures (200, 240, and 260 °C) and residence times (20, 40, 60 min) were studied. There was no particle reduction—samples were torrefied as collected (whole corncob). The results show that torrefaction temperature and residence time affect the torrefaction products yields along with their properties. Thermal and combustion properties were improved with an increase in torrefaction temperature and residence time. The higher heating value and energy density of the torrefied corncob varied between 17.26 and 18.89 MJ/kg, and 3.23 and 5.66 GJ/m3, respectively. High torrefaction temperature and residence time lead to low solid yield; however, liquid and gas yields increase with torrefaction temperature and residence time. The solid yields varied from 27.57 to 52.23%, while the liquid and gas yields varied from 31.56 to 44.78% and 16.21 to 27.65%, respectively. The properties of corncob improve after torrefaction and are suitable for solid fuel application.

show abstract

Section: Energy Density and Hhvmentioning

confidence: 67%

Section: Torrefaction Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Improving the Combustion Properties of Corncob Biomass via Torrefaction for Solid Fuel Applications

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Most cost estimates available for bio-oil in the literature are for raw pyrolysis bio-oil. These cost estimates range from as low as 6–14 €/GJ ( Brigagão et al., 2019 ) to as high as 19–23 €/GJ ( Chryssakis et al., 2015 ). As with other biofuels, the assumptions made regarding the feedstock cost and plant size have a big impact on the estimated bio-oil production cost.…”

Section: Bio-oilmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Perspective on Biofuels Use and CCS for GHG Mitigation in the Marine Sector

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the marine sector were around 2.6% of world GHG emissions in 2015 and are expected to increase 50%–250% to 2050 under a “business as usual” scenario, making the decarbonization of this fossil fuel-intensive sector an urgent priority. Biofuels, which come in various forms, are one of the most promising options to replace existing marine fuels for accomplishing this in the short to medium term. Some unique challenges, however, impede biofuels penetration in the shipping sector, including the low cost of the existing fuels, the extensive present-day refueling infrastructure, and the exclusion of the sector from the Paris climate agreement. To address this, it is necessary to first identify those biofuels best suited for deployment as marine fuel. In this work, the long list of possible biofuel candidates has been narrowed down to four high-potential options—bio-methanol, bio-dimethyl ether, bio-liquefied natural gas, and bio-oil. These options are further evaluated based on six criteria—cost, potential availability, present technology status, GHG mitigation potential, infrastructure compatibility, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) compatibility—via both an extensive literature review and stakeholder discussions. These four candidates turn out to be relatively evenly matched overall, but each possesses certain strengths and shortcomings that could favor that fuel under specific circumstances, such as if compatibility with existing shipping infrastructure or with CCS deployment become pivotal requirements. Furthermore, we pay particular attention to the possibility of integrating deployment of these biofuels with CCS to further reduce marine sector emissions. It is shown that this aspect is presently not on the radar of the industry stakeholders but is likely to grow in importance as CCS acceptability increases in the broader green energy sector.

show abstract

“…Rice-and straw-based biomass power plants can be integrated with other electricity sources and the utility grid [90]. A few novel technologies on efficient conversion of biomass are being investigated [91], which may help in diversifying the energy systems using different pathways.…”

Section: Realizing the Bioelectricity Potential-a Way Forwardmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping Bioenergy Supply and Demand in Selected Least Developed Countries (LDCs): Exploratory Assessment of Modern Bioenergy’s Contribution to SDG7

Khatiwada

Purohit

Ackom³

2019

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bioenergy can play an important role in achieving the agreed United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and implementing the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, thereby advancing climate goals, food security, better land use, and sustainable energy for all. In this study, we assess the surplus agricultural residues availability for bioelectricity in six least developed countries (LDCs) in Asia and Africa, namely Bangladesh, Lao-PDR, and Nepal in Asia; and Ethiopia, Malawi, and Zambia in Africa, respectively. The surplus agricultural residues have been estimated using residue-to-product ratio (RPR), agricultural residues lost in the collection, transportation and storage, and their alternative applications. We use a linear regression model to project the economic potential of bioelectricity. The contribution of bioelectricity for meeting the LDCs’ electricity requirements is estimated in a time frame between 2017 and 2030. Our results reveal that the surplus biomass feedstock available from the agriculture sector could provide the total current electricity demand in Malawi alone, followed by Nepal (45%), Bangladesh (29%), Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao-PDR) (29%), Ethiopia (27%), and Zambia (13%). This study also explores the complementarity and synergies of bioelectricity, SDG7, and their interlinkages with other SDGs. Findings from the study show that providing access to sustainable energy in the LDCs to meet the SDG7 by 2030 might be a challenge due to limited access to technology, infrastructure, and finance. Site-specific investigations on how much agricultural residues could be extracted in an environmentally benign manner for bioelectricity and increased investment in the bioenergy sector are key potential solutions in a myriad of options required to harness the full energy potential in the LDCs.

show abstract

A techno-economic analysis of thermochemical pathways for corncob-to-energy: Fast pyrolysis to bio-oil, gasification to methanol and combustion to electricity

Cited by 81 publications

References 40 publications

Improving the Combustion Properties of Corncob Biomass via Torrefaction for Solid Fuel Applications

Improving the Combustion Properties of Corncob Biomass via Torrefaction for Solid Fuel Applications

A Perspective on Biofuels Use and CCS for GHG Mitigation in the Marine Sector

Mapping Bioenergy Supply and Demand in Selected Least Developed Countries (LDCs): Exploratory Assessment of Modern Bioenergy’s Contribution to SDG7

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About