title: Biomass-to-electricity: analysis and optimization of the complete pathway steam explosion--enzymatic hydrolysis--anaerobic digestion with ICE vs SOFC as biogas users.
abstract: The paper deals with the energy analysis and optimization of a complete biomass-to-electricity energy pathway, starting from raw biomass towards the production of renewable electricity. The first step (biomass-to-biogas) is based on a real pilot plant located in Environment Park S.p.A. (Torino, Italy) with three main steps ((1) impregnation; (2) steam explosion; (3) enzymatic hydrolysis), completed by a two-step anaerobic fermentation. In the second step (biogas-to-electricity), the paper considers two technologies: internal combustion engines and a stack of solid oxide fuel cells. First, the complete pathway has been modeled and validated through experimental data. After, the model has been used for an analysis and optimization of the complete thermo-chemical and biological process, with the objective function of maximization of the energy balance at minimum consumption. The comparison between ICE and SOFC shows the better performance of the integrated plants based on SOFC.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Energia, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy. massimo.santarelli@polito.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santarelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barra
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sagnelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zitella
mesh_terms: D000693:Anaerobiosis; D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis*; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D013227:Steam
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D004798:Enzymes; D013227:Steam; D006859:Hydrogen