BIOREFINERIES: INTEGRATION OF DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES - Biomass as a Sustainable Energy Source for the Future - page 493

CHAPTER SUMMARY AND STUDY GUIDE

In this chapter, the biorefinery is introduced as an integrated concept for processing of
multisource biomass into a spectrum of different products for supply of energy forms,
chemicals, and materials. The basic types of biorefineries are based on thermochem-
ical, biochemical, and hybrid concepts. A framework for economic evaluation of
different processes is presented.

KEY CONCEPTS

Definition of a biorefinery
Identification of types of biorefineries, different platforms (sugar, thermochemical via
syngas as examples)
Selection of processing routes for production of compounds from multiple biosources
Payout Time
Time value of money: net present value, discounted cash flow rate of return principles
to evaluate the economic impact of a project and to compare alternatives
Evaluation of investment costs of process installations
Calculation of the cost + return price

SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS

15.1 Mention the main differences between an oil refinery and a biorefinery.

15.2 Sometimes, one sees the term “ oleochemical-based biorefinery. ” What is

meant by this term and can you give a few examples?

15.3 One sometimes uses the production of base chemicals as a useful indicator for

the growth of the petrochemical industry. What would you use as indicator for
growth in the newly established bio-based economy?

15.4 Does crude oil need to be pretreated before entering the atmospheric distilla-

tion unit? If so, which pretreatment is required?

15.5 Figure 15.2 shows a schematic of a modern oil refinery. Identify routes

based on biomass for producing all the products/product classes in this
schematic.

15.6 A catalytic cracking unit in an oil refinery produces the so-called amylenes

that can be dehydrogenated (abstraction of hydrogen). Which product is
formed? Is there a simple biomass-derived process possible to produce the
same chemical?

15.7 Write out the reaction equations for syngas fermentation to acetic acid with
either CO or CO 2 as reacting species.