(538b) Techno-Economic Analysis of Waste to Energy Process Based On Biorefinery Process Models

The characterization of 44 feedstocks of Washington State conducted by Washington State University previously resulted in a detailed feedstock database via literature and laboratory analysis. Biorefinery Process models were developed for techno-economic analysis of possible waste to energy processes based on these feedstock data. Specific software modules have been established upon extensive review of literatures on general process technology and transportation cost. With the Matlab-based software modules, biorefinery processes were modeled as integration of different unit operations . Capital depreciation and distribution costs estimation are also included in these models. The Cost curve of three main processes, fermentation, gasification and anaerobic digestion, had been generated respectively. Cost curves obtained for final products suggested that processing plant capacity and the geographic distribution of feedstocks significantly influence the delivered cost of products. Comparison were also conducted between different technical alterations, e.g. feedstock type, facilities scale, and conversion process etc. The result of this research work will provide valuable information for decision making on biomass to energy conversion processes.