Fuel-Driven Biorefineries Using Hydrothermal Processes

Abstract

Regarding the aim of a CO2-neutral society by 2050, one target is to use the largest possible amount of the initial feedstock within the bioeconomy. In that context it is necessary to utilize also low-value biomass in biorefineries. For wet streams, hydrothermal processes can make an efficient thermochemical application possible. To be used as transport fuel, strict limitations from national and international standards have to be fulfilled, e.g., regarding oxygen content. To reach these boundaries, commonly multistage approaches have to be applied. Within this framework utilization of hydrogen donors can be beneficial. Basic calculations of costs and greenhouse gas emissions are given for an exemplary case.