The focus of this study is to develop a techno-economic analysis (TEA) of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) to determine the optimal scale of HTL plants under the effects of industry learning rates, delivery costs, and catalytic action. The most favorable catalyst considered is HAp-1.86, with a 50th percentile minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) of $3.20/GGE, and an optimal scale of 122.4 tons per day. The analysis indicated catalysts with lifetime reusability had lower cost-per-residence time, and those with the highest yield and higher heating value improvement rates had the most favorable economics. It was found that delivery costs heavily dominate when feedstock is delivered due to its high volume relative to biocrude produced. These results indicate that HTL plants should predominantly be co-located with large feedstock sources, while the produced biocrude should be delivered to a centralized biocrude upgrading facility. These results may guide HTL plant placement decision making as biofuel infrastructure planning and execution develops.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Italiani, Eduardo
• Shahabuddin, Muntasir

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032221-150851
• 6311

Advisor

• Kazantzis, Nikolaos K.
• Timko, Michael T.
• Teixeira, Andrew R

Year

• 2021

Center

• Worcester Community Project Center (Massachusetts) - IQP

Date created

• 2021-03-22

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2021-05-03