Techno-Economic Analysis of Biorefinery Utilizing Geothermal Energy for Processing

Abstract

Technoeconomic study of a biorefinery utilizing geothermal resources is conducted. The study is conducted using ASPEN Plus and corresponding economic analysis tools. The biorefinery is based on a gasification platform to produce synthesis gas which in turn is synthesized to produce liquid transportation fuels. The biorefinery uses 2,000 metric tonnes of corn stover per day, and the products include hydrogen, gasoline, diesel fuel, and electricity. In this study, various streams of purchased steam are replaced by the steam derived from geothermal resources. Geothermal energy is in the form of steam with a temperature of 150°C. Geothermal steam is used in various ways including gasifying agent, syngas reforming, and biomass drying. Results show that the price of transportation fuels produced from the present biorefinery utilizing geothermal energy is comparable to that using the purchased steam. The major benefits of utilizing geothermal steam is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from combustion of petroleum fuels used to generate the purchased steam.