Valorization of rice straw for ethylene and jet fuel production: A technoeconomic assessment

Michailos, Stavros; Webb, Colin

Abstract

The goal of the present study is to exemplify ways to valorize lignocellulosic food waste within the biorefinery concept. Rice straw was selected as the feedstock of focus, but the presented methodologies can be extended to other similar materials such as sugarcane bagasse, wheat straw, and corn stover. The research presents alternative and sustainable conceptual design strategies for the production of two major products of conventional refineries, that is, ethylene and jet fuel. The assessment provides a comprehensive approach that includes technical design, process modeling, and economic evaluation. Based on a plant treating 100 dry t/h of rice straw, 27.8MWh of energy are required to generate a ton of ethylene and a 43.7% energy efficiency is realized for the aviation fuel case. The conduction of a typical discounted cash flow analysis resulted in minimum selling prices (MSP) of $1.34/kg for ethylene and $1.52/L for jet fuel. The conduction of a sensitivity analysis revealed that the processes are capital and feedstock intensive, while an increase to final products yield will favor the economic performance of the examined biorefineries.

Citation

Michailos, S., & Webb, C. (2020). Valorization of rice straw for ethylene and jet fuel production: A technoeconomic assessment. In M. R. Kosseva, & C. Webb (Eds.), Food Industry Wastes : Assessment and Recuperation of Commodities (201-221). (2nd ed.). London: Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817121-9.00010-3

• Online Publication Date: Aug 7, 2020
• Publication Date: Aug 7, 2020
• Deposit Date: Dec 5, 2022
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Pages: 201-221
• Edition: 2nd ed.
• Book Title: Food Industry Wastes : Assessment and Recuperation of Commodities
• Chapter Number: 10
• ISBN: 9780128171219
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-817121-9.00010-3
• Keywords: Waste biorefinery; Technoeconomic assessment; Rice straw; Ethylene; Aviation biofuel
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4131090