Single-step syngas-to-distillates (S2D) process based on biomass-derived syngas – A techno-economic analysis

This study compared biomass gasification based syngas-to-distillate (S2D) systems using techno-economic analysis (TEA). Three cases, state of technology (SOT), goal, and conventional, were compared in terms of performance and cost. The SOT case represented the best available experimental results for a process starting with syngas using a single-step dual-catalyst reactor for distillate generation. The conventional case mirrored a conventional two-step S2D process consisting of separate syngas-to-methanol and methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) processes. The goal case assumed the same performance as the conventional, but with a single-step S2D technology. TEA results revealed that the SOT was more expensive than the conventional and goal cases. The SOT case suffers from low one-pass yield and high selectivity to light hydrocarbons, both of which drive up production cost. Sensitivity analysis indicated that light hydrocarbon yield and single pass conversion efficiency were the key factors driving the high cost for the SOT case.

► Single-step syngas-to-distillate (S2D) synthesis approach is developed in lab scale. ► A systematic model combining biomass gasification and this single-step S2D is developed. ► Performance and cost are estimated for three cases with different assumptions. ► Key factors affecting the distillate production cost are identified.