Conversion of microalgae to jet fuel: Process design and simulation

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2014-09, Vol.167, p.349-357
• Main Authors: Wang, Hui-Yuan, Bluck, David, Van Wie, Bernard J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air pollution; Aircraft; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biomass burning; Biotechnology - methods; Combustion; Computer Simulation; Conversion; Cooling towers; Distillation; Economics; Flotation; Freezing; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hydrocarbons - metabolism; Jet fuel; Jet fuels; Microalgae; Microalgae - metabolism; Process design; Reference Standards; Simulation; Specific Gravity; Temperature; Thermolysis
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.05.092

Simulation of microalgae conversion to jet fuel (trademarks from Invensys, micrograph from Wikipedia, jet from Microsoft Clip Art, each of which is pre-authorized for reuse). [Display omitted] •The utility of PRO/II for simulating biomass related processes is established.•PRO/II simulation demonstrates feasibility of jet fuel production from microalgae.•A PRO/II case study provides optimal hydrotreating conditions for making Jet B fuel.•H2 recovery from reforming of byproduct adds 7.5–15% to the product value.•Cheap CO2, H2O and nutrient resources are essential for economic feasibility. Microalgae’s aquatic, non-edible, highly genetically modifiable nature and fast growth rate are considered ideal for biomass conversion to liquid fuels providing promise for future shortages in fossil fuels and for reducing greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions from combustion. We demonstrate adaptability of PRO/II software by simulating a microalgae photo-bio-reactor and thermolysis with fixed conversion isothermal reactors adding a heat exchanger for thermolysis. We model a cooling tower and gas floatation with zero-duty flash drums adding solids removal for floatation. Properties data are from PRO/II’s thermodynamic data manager. Hydrotreating is analyzed within PRO/II’s case study option, made subject to Jet B fuel constraints, and we determine an optimal 6.8% bioleum bypass ratio, 230°C hydrotreater temperature, and 20:1 bottoms to overhead distillation ratio. Process economic feasibility occurs if cheap CO2, H2O and nutrient resources are available, along with solar energy and energy from byproduct combustion, and hydrotreater H2 from product reforming.