Integrating biomass to produce heat and power at ethanol plants

Dry-grind ethanol process co-products and corn stover can be used to provide electricity (both for the plant and sale to the grid) and process heat. These biomass fuels can reduce process energy costs and increase the renewable energy balance for fuel ethanol production. An Aspen Plus model of the dry-grind ethanol process was used as a basis for the integration of biomass-fueled combined heat and power systems. Several combinations of combustion and gasification systems, power production cycles, biomass fuel combinations, and air emission control technologies are evaluated. Suitable configurations for incorporating biomass to produce heat and power at typical 190 million liters (50 million gallons) per year dry-grind ethanol facilities are analyzed.