Integration of Fossil Fuel-Based with Bio-Based Industries: The Use of Waste Streams and Biomass to Produce Syngas and Added Value Products

Abstract

This study proposes various routes to integrate a fossil fuel-based system, such as an oil-refinery, with bio-refining processes aiming to enhance industry productivity. This is particularly relevant due to the lack of adaptation of existing refineries to diminishing oil supply. Moreover, the integration of oil and bio-refineries has a massively positive effect on the reduction of CO2 emissions. The proposed integration structure connects the industries through routes such as on-site power generation, syngas production using refinery residue and bio-oil and other waste streams, utility systems, and utilising chemicals produced via biomass sources into the petrochemical and transportation industry as valuable products. Focusing on the latter route of integration, the upgrade of Acetone, Butanol and Ethanol (produced by sugar fermentation via bacterial species) has been chosen as a pathway to produce valuable products that could be used in both the chemical sector and the transportation industry. The reaction system consists of the self-condensation and cross condensation of alcohols and acetone using active metals on their corresponding basic supports as catalysts at high temperatures and pressure in a batch reactor. The proposed approach has resulted in the production of long-chain hydrocarbons suitable for the chemicals or transportation industry.