System and Scale-up

System Scale-Up Analysis

The Team: Rick Bergman (Lead), Debangsu Bhattacharyya, Tristan Brown, Xin Li, Kamalakanta Sahoo, SyedNyma Ferdous, Seyed Hashem Mousavi Avval, Poulomi Das, Alexandra Dill, and Jayendra Ahire.

System Scale-Up Analysis is dedicated to leveraging AI-based data analytics, including the creation of a structured database with deep machine learning tools for biomass to bioproducts, analyzing the capital and operational costs of biomass supply chains and bioproduct conversion facilities, and developing an integrated environmental and economic decision support tool at aplant-level scale. The expected results include guiding the scalability of bioproduct businesses and optimizing technoeconomic analysis and life-cycle assessments, fostering efficiency, sustainability, and informed decision-making in the industry.

1. Optimizing biomass utilization and sustainability through multi-feedstock and multi-product pathways in the MASBio project 

Our research employs a multi-feedstock, multi-product approach by integrating agricultural residues, woody biomass, and dedicated energy crops to enhance feedstock flexibility and process efficiency.

• A key initiative involves the development of an integrated biorefinery that utilize multiple feedstocks to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and various value-added byproducts such as:
• Lignin-isolate soy protein (LISP) bioadhesive Intermediate chemicals
• Resin for 3D printing 

2. Environmental and Economic Assessment of Portable Systems: Production of Wood-Briquettes and Torrefied-Briquettes to Generate Heat and Electricity

This study assessed the environmental impacts and economic feasibility of generating heatusing wood briquettes (WBs) and heat and electricity using torrefied wood briquettes (TWBs).WBs and TWBs were manufactured from forest residues using portable systems and deliveredto either residential consumers or power plants in the United States. The results showed thatutilizing forest residues to create densified products (WBs and TWBs) and burning them forheat production was not only more environmentally friendly but also more economical whencompared to fossil-based alternatives, such as propane.

Environmental and Economic Assessment of Portable Systems  

3. Lifecycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis of Biochar Pellet Production fromForest Residues and Field Application

The objectives of this study were to assess the environmental footprints and techno-economicfeasibility of converting forest residues in the Pacific Northwest United States into biocharpellets using portable systems and subsequently delivering the final product to end-users forland application (dispersion). The study involved evaluating the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) andTechno-Economic Analysis (TEA) of biochar pellet production from forest residues throughBiochar Solutions Incorporated (BSI) and Air Curtain Burner (ACB)portable systems.

Lifecycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis of Biochar Pellet Production  

4. Comparison of Novel Biochars and Steam Activated Carbon from Mixed Conifer MillResidues

The study describes biochar potential to serve as a cost-effective alternative to industrialadsorbents. The results show that steam activation can significantly enhance biochar propertiesfor various applications, including soil amendment and commercial-grade activated carbon(AC). This versatility not only mitigates investment risk for biochar enterprises but also expandsopportunities in diverse product markets.

Comparison of Novel Biochars and Steam Activated Carbon from Mixed Conifer MillResidues  

5. Integrated environmental and economic assessments of producing energy crops with covercrops for simultaneous use as biofuel feedstocks and animal fodder

Energy crops cultivated on marginal lands provide an alternative source of renewable resourceswithout competing with food crops while supporting feed crop production. A life cycle analysis
(LCA) and economic evaluation of cultivating two energy crops, energy cane, and napier grass,on marginal lands in the southeastern United States were conducted. The resultsdemonstrated that by utilizing these energy crops for both biofuel and feed applications, theassociated costs and greenhouse gas impacts could be further reduced.

Integrated environmental and economic assessments  

6. Analysis of Biomass Sustainability Indicators from a Machine Learning Perspective

This study proposes a robust model for biomass sustainability prediction by analyzing sustainability indicators using machine learning models. Ten machine learning models, namely, linear regression, ridge regression, multilayer perceptron, k-nearest neighbors, support vector machine, decision tree, gradient boosting, random forest, stacking and voting, were analyzed to estimate three biomass sustainability indicators, namely soil erosion factor, soil conditioningindex, and organic matter factor.

Analysis of Biomass Sustainability Indicators from a Machine Learning Perspective  

7. Toward sustainable crop residue management: A deep ensemble learning approach.

Energy crops cultivated on marginal lands provide an alternative source of renewable resourceswithout competing with food crops while supporting feed crop production. A life cycle analysis
(LCA) and economic evaluation of cultivating two energy crops, energy cane, and napier grass,on marginal lands in the southeastern United States were conducted. The resultsdemonstrated that by utilizing these energy crops for both biofuel and feed applications, theassociated costs and greenhouse gas impacts could be further reduced.

Toward sustainable crop residue management  

8. Environmental impacts and techno-economic assessments of biobased products: A review.

This study provides insights into the technical feasibility, costs, and environmental impacts of bio based products produced from different renewable biogenic resources. This study focuses on the most promising set of bio based materials such as bio-chemicals, bioplastics, bio-adhesives, bicarbonates, nanocellulose, biochar, and activated carbon.

Environmental impacts and techno-economic assessments of biobased products  

9. Integrated Stochastic Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis for Shrub Willow Production in the Northeastern United States.

This study seeks to address this gap by developing an integrated framework to quantify the environmental and financial impacts of producing and delivering shrub willow in the Northeastern United States. The results of this analysis provide the bioenergy field and other interested stakeholders with both environmental and financial trade-offs of willow biomass to permit informed decisions about the future expansion of willow fields in the landscape, which have the potential to contribute to GHG reduction targets and conversion into fuels, energy, or bioproducts for carbon sequestration and financial benefits.

Integrated Stochastic Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis for Shrub Willows  

More REsources

TEA Evaluation, by Dr. Tristan Brown, SUNY-ESF