BioSTEAM: A Fast and Flexible Platform for the Design, Simulation, and Techno-Economic Analysis of Biorefineries under Uncertainty

Abstract

BioSTEAM, the Biorefinery Simulation and Techno-Economic Analysis Modules, is an open-source steady-state process simulator in Python that enables biorefinery design, simulation, and techno-economic analysis (TEA) under uncertainty through its fast and flexible framework. By incorporating uncertainty as a key feature, BioSTEAM aims to evaluate the landscape of design decisions and scenarios for conceptual and emerging technologies. The applicability of BioSTEAM is demonstrated here in the context of (i) the co-production of biodiesel and ethanol from lipid-cane and (ii) the production of second-generation ethanol from corn stover. Economic metrics evaluated in BioSTEAM closely match benchmark designs modeled in proprietary software (SuperPro Designer, Aspen Plus). Through the automation of unit operation sizing and characterization of utility requirements, process waste streams, and make-up water usage, BioSTEAM also generates data needed for environmental sustainability analyses (e.g., via life cycle assessment). Ultimately, BioSTEAM enables rapid and robust process design, mass and energy balances, and TEA to compare established and early-stage technologies and prioritize research, development, and deployment.