(555d) From Biomass to Power Using Integrated Compact Pyrolysis, Combustor, and Stirling Engine

The feedstock logistic challenges, high feedstock procuring and shipping costs, high capital and operating costs, and a stringent requirement of making gasoline and diesel blends are the major barriers to commercialize biomass conversion pathways such as pyrolysis to make renewable fuels. These barriers can be overcome by developing portable technologies with a low weight, small footprint, and a high energy efficiency that can upgrade biomass to power. In this work, the viability of converting wood chips and plastic to power via integrated compact catalytic fast pyrolysis, combustor, and stirling engine technologies was determined through simulation and modeling analysis. The catalytic fast pyrolysis component consists of auger reactor followed by a catalytic upgrading reactor and the air-cooled condenser that upgrades wood chips and plastic to a high energy dense fuel. The ASPEN simulations followed by sizing analysis were performed to determine the size, weight, and net energy efficiency of producing 42.5-Watt equivalent of power generation from wood chips and plastic using the integrated portable technology. The impact of catalytic fast pyrolysis oil yields, oil quality, condenser type and its efficiency, type of fuel combustor, and combustor efficiency on the size, weight, and net energy efficiency of upgrading biomass to power was determined.