Techno-economic analysis of integrated biodiesel production plants

A flexible design and the associated scheduling and operating schemes for a biodiesel facility is developed. The facility can operate using multiple feedstocks to enhance the process flexibility, throughput, and cost effectiveness. First, a preliminary flowsheet is synthesized and process simulation of a single feedstock is examined. Then, multiple feedstocks are incorporated so as to insure process flexibility. Mass and energy integration are carried out to conserve process resources and reduce the cost. Finally, economic and technical data are used to determine optimal scheduling and operating strategies. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed approach, a case study on the production of 30,000 gal/day of biodiesel is presented and the resulting technical and economic results are discussed. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting (Salt Lake City, UT 11/4-9/2007).

Techno-economic analysis of integrated biodiesel production plants Conference Paper