A methodology to reduce the complexity of the process optimization was applied to a multiproduct biorefinery fed by lignocellulosic biomass. A process superstructure was built to consider alternative process pathways to levulinic acid, succinic acid and ethanol. A Mixed Integer Non-Linear Problem was obtained and transformed in a Mixed Integer Linear Problem by means of a discretization procedure of the non-linear variables. Preliminary results for the base case problem yielded a biomass allocation of about 65. % to levulinic acid, 24. % to succinic acid and 11. % to ethanol. A sensitivity analysis highlighted the significant effect of the price of the high value chemicals, levulinic acid and succinic acid, and of the plant size on the optimal biomass allocation.
Optimization of a Multiproduct Lignocellulosic Biorefinery using a MILP Approximation
GIULIANO, ARISTIDE;CERULLI, Raffaele;POLETTO, Massimo;RAICONI, Giancarlo;BARLETTA, Diego
2014
Abstract
A methodology to reduce the complexity of the process optimization was applied to a multiproduct biorefinery fed by lignocellulosic biomass. A process superstructure was built to consider alternative process pathways to levulinic acid, succinic acid and ethanol. A Mixed Integer Non-Linear Problem was obtained and transformed in a Mixed Integer Linear Problem by means of a discretization procedure of the non-linear variables. Preliminary results for the base case problem yielded a biomass allocation of about 65. % to levulinic acid, 24. % to succinic acid and 11. % to ethanol. A sensitivity analysis highlighted the significant effect of the price of the high value chemicals, levulinic acid and succinic acid, and of the plant size on the optimal biomass allocation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
