Simulation-based capacity planning of a biofuel refinery

Authors: KIM, SOJUNG - Dongguk University; OFEKEZE, EVI - Texas A&M University; Kiniry, James; KIM, SUMIN - Dankook University

Submitted to: Agronomy
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/2/2020
Publication Date: 11/3/2020
Citation: Kim, S., Ofekeze, E., Kiniry, J.R., Kim, S. 2020. Simulation-based capacity planning of a biofuel refinery. Agronomy. 10(11). Article 1702. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111702.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10111702

Interpretive Summary: This paper describes a method to find a cost-efficient and sustainable refinery capacity for grain-based ethanol (i.e., corn-based ethanol) production. This will be important in promoting the widespread adoption and sustainable use of ethanol, by improving the productivity of the refining process. We simulated complex operations of a refinery such as loading, unloading and treatment of feedstock over nine major phases (e.g., feedstock storage and handling, pretreatment and conditioning, fermentation and hydrolysis, and enzyme production) to produce ethanol. We used real data of corn yield produced in Tazewell County, Illinois, U.S. to improve model predictions. The near optimal number of reactors for the hydrolysis and fermentation was found via optimization. This information will help engineers and policy makers to modify capacity of a biofuel refinery for enhancing system efficiency and ethanol production.

Technical Abstract: The aim of this paper is to find a cost-efficient and sustainable refinery capacity for grain-based ethanol (i.e., corn-based ethanol) production, which will play an important role in promoting the widespread adoption and sustainable use of ethanol, by improving the productivity of the overall refining process. Continuous-event simulation is utilized in this study to model complex operations of a refinery such as loading, unloading and treatment of feedstock over nine major phases (e.g., feedstock storage and handling, pretreatment and conditioning, fermentation and hydrolysis, and enzyme production) to produce ethanol. To improve the model prediction, the real data of corn yield produced in Tazewell County, Illinois, U.S. was used. The proposed simulation model is implemented in AnyLogic® simulation software, and the (near) optimal number of reactors for the hydrolysis and fermentation is found via optimization software known as OptQuest®. This information will help engineers and policy makers to modify capacity of a biofuel refinery for enhancement of the system efficiency and ethanol production.