title: Is biomass fractionation by Organosolv-like processes economically viable? A conceptual design study.
abstract: In this work, the conceptual designs of the established Organosolv process and a novel biphasic, so-called Organocat process are developed and analyzed. Solvent recycling and energy integration are emphasized to properly assess economic viability. Both processes show a similar energy consumption (approximately 5 MJ/kg(dry biomass)). However, they still show a lack of economic attractiveness even at larger scale. The Organocat process is more favorable due to more efficient lignin separation. The analysis uncovers the remaining challenges toward an economically viable design. They largely originate from by-products formation, product isolation, and solvent recycling. Necessary improvements in process chemistry, equipment design, energy efficiency and process design are discussed to establish economically attractive Organosolv-like processes of moderate capacity as a building block of a future biorefinery.
authors.affiliation: Aachener Verfahrenstechnik - Process Systems Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Turmstr. 46, 52064 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viell
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harwardt
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seiler
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Marquardt
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012997:Solvents
keywords: Biomass fractionation; Biorefinery; Conceptual design; Heat integration; Organosolv