Stage 2 Integrated Biorefinery Design

Subsequently, the intermediate s is then further converted to product s via upgrading pathway q. The splitting of flow rate of intermediate to all possible upgrading pathway q with flow rate F can be calculated by Equation 11.19  

The total production rate of product s, , can be determined based on given conver- 

By following Equations 11.17-11.20, the material balance of the biomass, intermediates and final products can be performed. Thus, an integrated biorefinery can be represented by using the developed superstructure. 

The objective of this stage is to determine the optimal conversion pathways that convert biomass into the optimal product identified in the first stage of the methodology. The optimality of the conversion pathways can be aimed at maximising the yield of the desired product, as shown in the following equation  

Other than maximising the yield of the desired product, another design goal is to maximise the economic performance of the configuration of integrated biorefinery. Economic performance can be defined with the following equation  

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Once the optimal product is designed, the optimal conversion pathways that convert biomass into the bio-based fuel are identified in the second stage of the methodology. In this case study, palm-based biomass known as empty fruit bunches (EFB) is chosen as feedstock of the integrated biorefinery. The lignocellulosic composition of the EFB is shown in Table 11.9. 

From Figure 11.8, it can be seen that Alkane, is produced from biomass in the conversion pathway sequence of pyrolysis and Fischer-Tropsch processes 1 and 2 followed by fractional distillation of alkanes, which are all thermochemical pathways. It is worth pointing out that specific separation processes that suit the identified product can be chosen and included in the integrated biorefinery to refine and separate the final product from by-products. Hence, separation processes for alkanes are chosen based on the results of the product design identified in stage 1 of the methodology. The performance of the separation processes is then taken into consideration in identifying the product yield and economic potential of the overall conversion pathway. 

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