Biomass to dimethyl ether by gasification/synthesis technology<bold>—</bold>an alternative biofuel production route

doi:10.1007/s11708-010-0121-y

Front Energ

0, Vol.

Issue () : 330-339 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11708-010-0121-y

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Biomass to dimethyl ether by gasification/synthesis technology—an alternative biofuel production route

Tiejun WANG, Yuping LI, Longlong MA, Chuangzhi WU(

)

Key Laboratory of Renewable Energy and Gas Hydrate, Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China

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Abstract

Technical and economic analysis was done for the biomass to dimethyl ether (DME) technology to promote the gasification/synthesis route for biofuel production and its application as a fossil fuel substitute. The technology of biomass gasification/synthesis has obvious advantages, including production flexibility, environmental friendliness, economic feasibility, and application versatility. Biomass gasification/synthesis technology integrates bio-DME synthesis, fertilizer production, electricity generation, and waste heat utilization to convert waste biomass residues to DME for use as liquid petroleum gas, transportation fuel substitute, and chemical intermediates, which has been proven to be one of the most effective and clean biomass utilization routes. The 1000 t/a-scale demonstration plant has a bio-DME production rate of 6 to 7t_biomass/t_DME, biomass gasification efficiency of≥82%, once-through CO conversion of ≥70%, DME selectivity (DME/DME+other organic products) of ≥90%, and a total system efficiency of ≥38%. The demonstration plant also has self-sufficient steam and electricity supply. The 10,000tons/a-scale bio-DME production cost with or without feedstock subsidy is estimated to be 1968 Yuan/t and 2868 Yuan/t, respectively in China. Because of the limitation in biomass feedstock collection cost, massive and disperse commercial plants with a capacity of 10000 t/a bio-DME are more suitable for rural areas.

Keywords technical and economic analysis biomass dimethyl ether gasification/synthesis

Corresponding Author(s): WU Chuangzhi,Email:wucz@ms.giec.ac.cn

Issue Date: 05 September 2011

Cite this article:

Tiejun WANG,Yuping LI,Longlong MA, et al. Biomass to dimethyl ether by gasification/synthesis technology—an alternative biofuel production route[J]. Front Energ, 0, (): 330-339.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/10.1007/s11708-010-0121-y
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fie/EN/Y0/V/I/330

Fig.1 1—corncob inlet; 2—pyrolyzer; 3—gasifier; 4—heat exchanger; 5—bag filter; 6—PSA unit; 7—cooler; 8—roots blower; 9—syngas flowmeter; 10—gas tank
Schematic diagram of bio-syngas production using two-stage gasification

Fig.2 1—bio-syngas inlet; 2—compressor; 3,4,5—CO removal system; 6—absorber I; 7—absorber II; 8—synthesis reactor; 9—cooler; 10—gas liquid separator; 11—soft water tank; 12—absorb tower; 13—intermediate products tank; 14—rectifier; 15—cooler; 16—calculation tank; 17—heater; 18—storage tank; 19,20—heating oil
100 t/a-scale DME synthesis system from bio-syngas

Tab.1 Main results under typical conditions

Fig.3 Flow sheet of bio-DME production by gasification/synthesis technology

Fig.4 Schematic diagram of bio-syngas production system in the 1000 t/a-scale demonstration plant

Fig.5 Photographs of the 1000 t/a-scale bio-DME demonstration plant

Tab.2 Comparison of DME and LPG

Tab.3 DME engine emissions compared with Euro III diesel

Tab.4 DME engine emissions compared with ULEV

Tab.5 Production cost in RMB Yuan per ton bio-DME in the 10000 t/a-scale plant

Tab.6 Investment cost in commercial scale bio-DME production plant

Tab.7 Economic benefit analysis of bio-DME production by gasification/synthesis technology

Tab.8 Effect of bio-DME production capacity on rate of return on investment

Tab.9 Effect of biomass feedstock price on rate of return on investment

Tab.10 Effect of bio-DME wholesale price on rate of return on investment

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