Process Simulations Supporting a Techno-Economic Framework to Optimize Biorefinery Supply Chains

With recent innovations in the field of renewable energy, several promising biorefining techniques have been discovered. While many of these innovations have demonstrated promising outcomes in a small scale, laboratory settings, validation of these for their practical viability must be substantiated. While several contributions exist that captures the economic performance and inherent uncertainties of biorefinery supply chains, further emphasis must be directed towards coupling the models with basic sciences. One of the major voids in this existing body of knowledge is the ability to embody experimental outcomes while identifying the optimum supply chain logistics. This contribution illustrates a novel methodology for capturing the experimental details and coupling it with a techno-economic framework. In order to develop the process simulations, various tools from the Aspen Engineering Suite (Aspen Tech®) are explored extensively and tailored in a unique manner to share critical data for further analyses. This attribute of the proposed approach enables successful linking of the basic sciences with the broader biomass supply chain, guiding the decision making process. The resulting comprehensive framework will provide insight in channelling resources appropriately and acting as a decision support tool for investors, policy makers and related stakeholders.