A cost-benefit analysis of black liquor gasification combined cycle systems

Ryan Katofsky, Stefano Consonni, Eric D. Larson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Black liquor gasification (BLG) technologies are under active commercial development in the United States and Europe. BLG has been proposed as a future replacement for Tomlinson boilers to provide more efficient, safer, and environmentally-friendlier chemical and energy recovery. Also, some pulping process improvements are more readily implemented with BLG than with black liquor combustion. Because of potential efficiency and process benefits, BLG is viewed as an important technology for enhancing the competitiveness of the pulp and paper industry. Much of the focus on BLG development has been on the coupling of chemical recovery with electricity production via gas turbine combined cycle technology (BLGCC). A better understanding of the economics and potential regional and national benefits of BLGCC could help catalyze commercialization of these systems. To that end, this paper summarizes the main results of a detailed study sponsored by the US Department of Energy, the pulp & paper industry and two electric utilities to assess the costs and benefits of BLGCC technology at the mill, Southeast US regional, and US national level. The status of leading black liquor gasification technologies is summarized. Detailed mass and energy balances and capital cost estimates are presented for different BLGCC configurations and compared to state-of-the-art and advanced Tomlinson-based recovery systems. These are used for mill-level financial comparisons and to assess regional and national environmental benefits and energy savings potential.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2003 TAPPI Fall Technical Conference
Subtitle of host publicationEngineering, Pulping and PCE and I, Proceedings
Pages3099-4020
Number of pages922
StatePublished - 2003
Event2003 TAPPI Fall Technical Conference: Engineering, Pulping and PCE and I - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Oct 26 2003Oct 30 2003

Publication series

NameTAPPI Fall Technical Conference

Conference

Conference2003 TAPPI Fall Technical Conference: Engineering, Pulping and PCE and I
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period10/26/0310/30/03

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

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