EUBCE 2026 - Vibhu BAIBHAV - Process Integration of Multi-Feedstock Ethanol Biorefineries for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production with Biogenic CO2 Utilization

Process Integration of Multi-Feedstock Ethanol Biorefineries for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production with Biogenic CO2 Utilization

Short Introductive summary

Decarbonized fuel production requires integrated biorefineries that can flexibly utilize carbon and renewable electricity. This work investigates a concept combining first and second-generation ethanol production with ethanol-to-jet (EtJ) upgrading and biogenic CO2 utilization under dynamic electricity market conditions. A system-level modelling approach is applied, linking process simulations with an optimization framework to account for renewable electricity variability and seasonal CO2 storage. The results show that heat pump integration can eliminate external heat demand in the first-generation pathway. In contrast, the second-generation pathway requires high-temperature heat for biomass pretreatment, which is supplied via cogeneration. Several CO2 conversion pathways are assessed, including methanation, ethanol synthesis, methanol production via syngas, and syngas fermentation. Seasonal CO2 storage further improves operational flexibility by enabling the shifting of conversion processes to periods of lower electricity prices, thereby enhancing overall system performance and economic robustness.

V. Baibhav, EPFL, Sion, SWITZERLAND
D. Florez-Orrego, EPFL, Sion, SWITZERLAND
M. Ellen Ribeiro Domingos, EPFL, Sion, SWITZERLAND
F. Maréchal, EPFL, Sion, SWITZERLAND