Comparison of Bio-mass to Bio-oils Reactor Systems: Direct Conversion vs. Companion Coal Gasification
The objective of this year’s AIChE Design Problem was to compare the economics of two bio-mass to bio-oil reactor systems. The first system is done by direct bio-mass pyrolysis, and the second system is done by “marrying” bio-mass to bio-oil to coal gasification.

The students were required to determine the capital equivalent of a yearly cash flow or the equivalent of a capital investment. Use a 5 year payout for converting capital investment to equivalent year cash flows. They need to calculate the final price of the product for each system, with well designed process flow and safety as well as environmental considerations.