Title:
Integration of Biomass Gasification-Based Olefins Production in a Steam Cracker Plant - Consequences for Steam Balances
Author(s):
Arvidsson, M., Johansson, E., Pettersson, L.J., Morandin, M., Harvey, S.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
This study investigates integration opportunities for biomass-based olefin production at a fossil-based steam cracker plant at the core of a chemical cluster. The work was conducted in the form of a case study considering the possible future partial replacement of approx. 200 kt/y of cracker olefin production capacity (approx. 25 % of total capacity) with biomass-based olefins produced via gasification, methanol synthesis and the methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process. The partial switch of feedstock impacts the cluster site material and energy balances which in turn could have a significant impact on the overall carbon footprint benefits of the switch. A detailed analysis of steam balance changes is thus an important step in the sustainability analysis of feedstock switching. This paper discusses implications for site steam balance characteristics for (i) Base case operation with fossil-only feedstock and (ii) partial substitution of the cracker units with MTO units fed with methanol. The MTO section was assumed to be located at the cracker site, making use of existing olefin separation equipment. The results indicate that the partial feedstock switch increases the cracker plant’s demand for HP steam production in the steam boilers by approx. 70 % compared with the Base case. However, if methanol is produced on-site from gasified biomass, excess heat from the methanol production plant can potentially produce enough HP steam to completely off-load the steam boiler.
Keywords:
biorefinery, gasification, steam, integration, process heat, petrochemicals substitute
Topic:
Industry Sessions
Subtopic:
Thermochemical conversion processes
Event:
23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
ICV.4.18
Pages:
1774 - 1777
ISBN:
978-88-89407-516
Paper DOI:
10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-ICV.4.18
Price:
FREE
