TECHNO-ECONOMIC OPTIMIZATION OF THE MODIFICATION PROCESS OF LIGNOCELLULOSIC BIOMASS TO ADSORBENT MATERIAL AT LABORATORY SCALE

In this work we focus primarily on optimization of biomass modification and adsorption processes and secondarily on desorption, on the basis of techno-economic criteria, such as (a) reduction of the conversion temperature for minimizing the energy cost, and (b) increase of the adsorption rate for reducing processing time so as to minimize the capital cost (estimated through depreciation) and the rest operating cost, provided that the processing time reduction is not associated with additional costs for (i) supply of proprietary additives and (ii) additional fees for specialized work. Optimization was based on the parameter values of the thermodynamic and kinetic models, as identified in earlier work for processes taken separately or in combination. As an example, we studied the feasibility of manipulating the produced adsorbent with magnetic properties so as to facilitate its easy collection when dispersed at the surface of the water-body. The water and oil adsorbency (defined as the ratio of water or oil adsorbed to dry adsorbent weight, according to the ASTM F726-06 method) test was performed, following the procedure of this standard method, using crude oil and diesel provided by Hellenic Petroleum SA.