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DES pretreatment of common reed for phenolic compound extraction and biogas production - A Techno-economic assessment
Citation Link: https://doi.org/10.15480/882.16474
Publikationstyp
Conference Presentation
Date Issued
2025-10-18
Sprache
English
TORE-DOI
Citation
Innovative Agricultural Technologies Congress, IAT 2025
Contribution to Conference
Peer Reviewed
false
Deep eutectic solvents (DES) are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional solvents for biomass processing and extraction of value-added products. They are generally cost-effective, safer, and more environmentally benign. Although their potential has been demonstrated at the laboratory scale, limited research has addressed process scalability, economic feasibility, and environmental impacts.
This study evaluated a conceptual biorefinery utilizing lignocellulosic biomass (Phragmites australis) pre-treated with a choline chloride–formic acid DES. The process integrated phenolic compound recovery from the liquid phase with biomethane and compost production from the solid residue. A process scale-up was developed, including plant layout, mass and carbon balance, and techno-economic and environmental assessments.
Results indicated technical scalability but revealed that separation and purification of phenolics required intensive processing. Energy analysis showed high thermal energy demand, mainly for steam used in solvent and ethanol recovery. Auxiliary material flows (DES, water, ethanol) were large compared to the relatively low yield of phenolics, and net auxiliary consumption remained high despite internal recycling. Carbon balance analysis showed that about 50% of input carbon was retained in product streams, while significant carbon—mainly from solubilized hemicellulose sugars—remained unutilized within the DES. Improving carbon recovery is crucial to reach efficiencies comparable to conventional anaerobic digestion.
Economically, operational costs dominated, driven by choline chloride and formic acid consumption. The estimated minimum selling price of phenolics was ~57 € kg⁻¹, potentially viable for high-value applications, though further purification is needed. Process sensitivity was most affected by solvent and energy prices, while capital costs were minor.
Environmentally, solvent and energy use contributed significantly to emissions, with choline chloride production being the main hotspot. Overall, while technically feasible, the process requires improved carbon utilization, reduced auxiliary flows, and enhanced environmental performance for sustainable implementation.
This study evaluated a conceptual biorefinery utilizing lignocellulosic biomass (Phragmites australis) pre-treated with a choline chloride–formic acid DES. The process integrated phenolic compound recovery from the liquid phase with biomethane and compost production from the solid residue. A process scale-up was developed, including plant layout, mass and carbon balance, and techno-economic and environmental assessments.
Results indicated technical scalability but revealed that separation and purification of phenolics required intensive processing. Energy analysis showed high thermal energy demand, mainly for steam used in solvent and ethanol recovery. Auxiliary material flows (DES, water, ethanol) were large compared to the relatively low yield of phenolics, and net auxiliary consumption remained high despite internal recycling. Carbon balance analysis showed that about 50% of input carbon was retained in product streams, while significant carbon—mainly from solubilized hemicellulose sugars—remained unutilized within the DES. Improving carbon recovery is crucial to reach efficiencies comparable to conventional anaerobic digestion.
Economically, operational costs dominated, driven by choline chloride and formic acid consumption. The estimated minimum selling price of phenolics was ~57 € kg⁻¹, potentially viable for high-value applications, though further purification is needed. Process sensitivity was most affected by solvent and energy prices, while capital costs were minor.
Environmentally, solvent and energy use contributed significantly to emissions, with choline chloride production being the main hotspot. Overall, while technically feasible, the process requires improved carbon utilization, reduced auxiliary flows, and enhanced environmental performance for sustainable implementation.
Subjects
Techno-economic anaylsis
Biorefinery
Phenolic compounds
Biomethane
DDC Class
660.6: Biotechnology
628.5: Environmental Chemistry
333.7: Natural Resources, Energy and Environment