The Role of Biowaste: A Multi-Objective Optimization Platform for Combined Heat, Power and Fuel

Abstract

Biomass, bioenergy and negative emission technologies are inherent to the future design of energy systems. Urban clusters have a growing demand for fuel, heat and electricity, which is both a challenge and an opportunity for biomass-based technologies. Their deployment should meet demand, while minimizing environmental impact and staying cost-competitive. We develop a systematic approach for the design, evaluation and ranking of biomass-to-X production strategies under uncertain market conditions. We assemble state-of-the-art and innovative conversion technologies, based on feedstock, by-products and waste characteristics. Technical specifications, as well as economic and environmental aspects are estimated based on literature values and industry experts input. Embedded into a bi-level mixed-integer linear programming formulation, the framework identifies and assesses current and promising strategies, while establishing the most robust and resilient designs. The added value of this approach is the inclusion of sub-optimal routes which might outperform competing strategies under different market assumptions. The methodology is illustrated in the anaerobic digestion of food and green waste biomass used as a case study in the current Swiss market. By promoting a fair comparison between alternatives it highlights the benefits of energy integration and poly-generation in the energy transition, showing how biomass-based technologies can be deployed to achieve a more sustainable future.

Enhancing biomass utilization by combined pulp and fuel production

“…Mathematical programming and optimization methods have been applied intensively to similar superstructure optimization problems (Gassner and Maréchal, 2009;Tock et al, 2010;Santibañez-Aguilar et al, 2011;Viana Ensinas et al, 2013;Celebi et al, 2017;Castro-Amoedo et al, 2021). As noted by Liu et al (2012), when generating results by means of optimization, deriving a set of feasible alternatives may be preferred to the generation of a single system designone that is only potentially optimal under certain external conditions.…”

On the role of system integration of carbon capture and mineralization in achieving net-negative emissions in industrial sectors

“…Economic and environmental models are integrated into a process integration (PI) model, adapted from Butun et al 50 and Castro-Amoedo et al 51 The objective is to minimize Total Annualized Cost (TC). The economic model links the PI stage with monetary flows and is used to compute the total cost of the system (eqn (2)), composed of investment (Capex) and operating expenses (Opex).…”

Mechanistic insights into the co-recovery of nickel and iron via integrated carbon mineralization of serpentinized peridotite by harnessing organic ligands

“…The rising need to create a decarbonized supply chain of energy critical metals motivates scientific advances in material-efficient pathways to harness earth abundant silicate resources. [1][2][3][4] The opportunity to fix anthropogenic CO 2 emissions via thermodynamically downhill carbon mineralization routes while co-recovering energy critical metals such as nickel and iron motivates scientific advances in accelerating these pathways. [1][2][3]5,6 Prior advances in this field were exclusively focused on carbon mineralization with limited attention being given to the co-recovery of energy critical metals that are present in earth abundant silicate resources such as serpentine (Mg 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 ) and olivine ((Mg,Fe) 2 SiO 4 ).…”

“…[1][2][3]5,6 Prior advances in this field were exclusively focused on carbon mineralization with limited attention being given to the co-recovery of energy critical metals that are present in earth abundant silicate resources such as serpentine (Mg 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 ) and olivine ((Mg,Fe) 2 SiO 4 ). [1][2][3][4]7 However, recent advances have shown that organic ligands such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are effective in facilitating the co-recovery of energy critical metals such as nickel, while enabling accelerated carbon mineralization. However, scalable realization of these pathways remains limited by the lack of mechanistic insights into the complex chemomorphological interactions underlying the co-recovery of energy critical metals with inherent carbon mineralization.…”