Title : Process simulation and comparative techno-economic analysis of enhanced biomass-to-aviation fuel pathways: Pyrolysis and Gasification strategies
Abstract:
Bio-based fuels are increasingly recognized as crucial solutions for mitigating carbon emissions and facilitating the transition to sustainable energy systems. This study focuses on enhancing two prevalent thermochemical biomass conversion pathways and establishes a comprehensive comparative framework. The first pathway involves an advanced pyrolysis-upgrading system that incorporates two-stage catalysis with mid-process methanol supplementation. The second pathway is a modified gasification-Fischer-Tropsch process that integrates olefin oligomerization to enhance aromatic content. The comparative analysis indicates that both pathways exhibit similar energy conversion efficiencies, with pyrolysis achieving 40.53% and gasification achieving 39.96%. The slightly lower efficiency of the gasification pathway is primarily due to its suboptimal olefin selectivity. From an economic perspective, the gasification pathway demonstrates a 17.2% cost advantage, with a Minimum Fuel Selling Price (MFSP) of €1,250.38 per ton compared to €1,510.79 per ton for the pyrolysis pathway. The high methanol consumption in the pyrolysis system is identified as the main factor contributing to its elevated MFSP. Further analysis on process scaling reveals that a biomass throughput of 1,200 tons per day is the critical threshold for both pathways to minimize scale-related cost penalties. The sensitivity analysis highlights that reducing methanol prices is crucial for improving the economic viability of the pyrolysis technology, while catalyst optimization is essential for enhancing the gasification system. These findings provide valuable insights for the selection and optimization of biomass-to-fuel conversion routes. The study offers a robust methodological framework for process comparison and offers practical recommendations for the technological development and commercial-scale promotion of bio-aviation fuels produced through pyrolysis and gasification. By addressing key technological and economic challenges, this research contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions and supports the broader goal of reducing carbon footprints in the aviation sector.
