Technoeconomic analysis of corn stover conversion by decentralized pyrolysis and electrocatalysis

Abstract

Maximizing fossil fuel displacement and limiting atmospheric carbon dioxide levels require a high efficiency of carbon incorporation in bioenergy systems. The availability of biomass carbon is a constraint globally, and...

Comparative life cycle assessment of corn stover conversion by decentralized biomass pyrolysis-electrocatalytic hydrogenation versus ethanol fermentation

“…2 Technoeconomic analysis showed a minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) of $3.62/gge (ref. 23) (in 2018 USD, for a fixed internal rate of return of 10%) for Py-ECH compared to $3.70/gge for CE. 2 However, with improvements in technology, the MFSP for the Py-ECH system could drop to approximately $3/gge.…”

“…2 However, with improvements in technology, the MFSP for the Py-ECH system could drop to approximately $3/gge. 23…”

“…35 The Py-ECH system, however, integrates decentralized biomass pyrolysis and electrocatalytic hydrogenation with centralized hydroprocessing and refining. Building upon our previous assessments of energy and carbon yield 11 and economics, 23 we present here the LCA environmental impacts of corn stover conversion to hydrocarbon fuels using Py-ECH compared to cellulosic fermentation to ethanol. For consistency with our economic study 23 we consider a decentralized system with densification of biomass to bio-oil and stabilization via ECH at localized (near the biomass) depots.…”

“…Building upon our previous assessments of energy and carbon yield 11 and economics, 23 we present here the LCA environmental impacts of corn stover conversion to hydrocarbon fuels using Py-ECH compared to cellulosic fermentation to ethanol. For consistency with our economic study 23 we consider a decentralized system with densification of biomass to bio-oil and stabilization via ECH at localized (near the biomass) depots. The bio-oil is sufficiently stable to be transported over long distances to a petroleum-style “central” refinery for final upgrading via hydroprocessing.…”

“…2 However, with improvements in technology, the MFSP for the Py-ECH system could drop to approximately $3/gge. 23 Though many life cycle assessments (LCAs) have already been conducted for CE using different biomass feedstocks, [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] this exercise was repeated here while maintaining consistent assumptions for the two systems under consideration. Our primary goal is to compare the two technologies under study, namely, Py-ECH and CE, by conducting a full cradle-to-grave analysis, including corn cultivation through end-use fuel combustion in vehicles.…”