Simulation and economic evaluation of a multipurpose pyrolysis plant for bio-oil production from different residual biomasses in Brazil

In this work, a fast pyrolysis process of sugarcane bagasse, corn stover and coffee husk was simulated in Aspen Plus® v10. A simplified pyrolysis reactor modelling strategy was developed to allow the economic comparison of different biomasses in cases where experimental yields are not available for some of them. Geographical reasoning was used to stablish the best location for a multipurpose plant in Brazil, which could operate throughout the year without interruption, alternating the feedstocks. Sugarcane bagasse appeared as the most attractive raw material, because it was 34 % and 87 % less expensive than corn stover and coffee husk in the studied economic scenario, respectively. The process proved profitable and the investment would be returned in less than five years, which demonstrates the potential of pyrolysis for additional income generation and dissemination of renewable energy throughout the countryside, and sets a precedent for its continuous development in this sense. [Display omitted] •Biomass pyrolysis is simulated in Aspen Plus®.•Sugarcane bagasse, corn stover and coffee husk are reproduced in the simulator.•The ideal location for a multipurpose plant in Brazil is determined.•Sugarcane bagasse is the most interesting feedstock, followed by corn stover.•Multipurpose operation is economically feasible all year round.