Simulation of a Continuous Pyrolysis Reactor for a Heat Self-Sufficient Process and Liquid Fuel Production

Antonio Chavando, Valter Bruno Silva (), Luís A. C. Tarelho, João Sousa Cardoso and Daniela Eusebio
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Antonio Chavando: Department of Environment and Planning and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Valter Bruno Silva: Department of Environment and Planning and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Luís A. C. Tarelho: Department of Environment and Planning and Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
João Sousa Cardoso: Superior School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal
Daniela Eusebio: Superior School of Technology and Management, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, 7300-110 Portalegre, Portugal

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 14, 1-24

Abstract: This study investigates the potential of utilizing pyrolysis byproducts, including char and non-condensable gases, as an energy source to promote autothermal pyrolysis. A total of six pyrolysis experiments were conducted at three distinct cracking temperatures, namely, 450 °C, 500 °C, and 550 °C. The experiments utilized two types of biomasses, i.e., 100% pine chips and 75% pine chips mixed with 25% refuse-derived fuels (RDF). The findings from the experiments were subsequently incorporated into a process simulation conducted on Aspen Plus for an energy balance and a techno-economic analysis. The results of the experiments revealed that the energy produced by the byproducts utilizing only pine chips is 1.453 kW/kg, which is enough to fulfill the energy demand of the pyrolysis reactor (1.298 kW/kg). However, when 25% of RDF is added, the energy demand of the reactor decreases to 1.220 kW/kg, and the produced energy increases to 1.750 kW/kg. Furthermore, adding RDF increases bio-oil’s lower heating value (LHV). The techno-economic study proposed three scenarios: optimistic, conservative, and tragic. The optimistic has a payback period (PBP) of 7.5 years and a positive net present value (NPV). However, the other two scenarios were unfavorable, resulting in unfeasibility.

Keywords: biomass; RDF; autothermal pyrolysis; bio-oil (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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