Mark Laser1, Shahab Sokhansanj2, David Bransby3, R. Lance Martin1, Haiming Jin1, Lee R. Lynd1, Eric D. Larson4, and Bruce E. Dale5. (1) Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, 8000 Cummings Hall, Hanover, NH 03755, (2) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, (3) Department of Agronomy and Soils, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, (4) Princeton Environmental Institute, Princeton University, 26 Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ 80446, (5) Michigan State University, Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Room 3247 Engineering Building, East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
Mature processing technology scenarios for cellulosic biomass will be presented, including stand-alone production of power, Fischer-Tropsch (FT) fuels, and hydrogen, as well as co-production scenarios involving ethanol-power, ethanol-power-FT fuels, ethanol-hydrogen, ethanol-FT fuels-natural gas, and several of these products in conjunction with feed protein. Our results suggest that many mature processing technology scenarios will have overall efficiency (heating value of products/heating value of biomass) in excess of 70% and be economically competitive with conventional processes based on fossil resources at prices seen over recent years. These biorefining scenarios also result in significant greenhouse gas reductions and petroleum displacement, as will be presented.
When envisioning advanced biorefineries, it's also important to consider the field-to-fuel supply chain, strategic selection of feedstock, and retooling of agricultural practice to accommodate efficient production of both food and fuel. Optimizing the transition from the current corn ethanol industry to one centered around cellulosic feedstocks is also a vital concern. We will address each of these areas, building upon the above process analysis.