The main aim of this project is to develop a techno?economic analysis of Thermo chemical processing
route for the conversion of solid waste biomass (peels, bark and bagasse) from cassava processing in
Nigeria to energy. The bio?energy scenarios will be modelled using Aspen Plus.
Objectives:
(i) To accurately determine of the amounts and locations of cassava waste in Nigeria, together with
estimation of the fraction available for collection and the cost of collection and transport to suitable
central locations
(ii) To carry out comprehensive literature review of literature related to cassava waste conversion
processes. Existing experimental will also be collected from literature
(iii) To develop a process model of cassava waste conversion process using Aspen Plus software
(iv) To validate the process model developed in (iii) using experimental data collected in (ii)
(v) To carry out process and economic analysis using the model developed
(vi) Complete an economic assessment of waste treatment options using the processing model
developed.
Methodology:
There is no doubt that there is great potential associated with second generation biomass utilisation
for bio?refinery application in Nigeria. Despite this great potential, there is currently no significant
development to provide concrete examples of how it can be implemented commercially. As
aforementioned, this lack of commercial examples in not necessarily due to technology maturity but
also due to cost and the complexity of potential bio?refinery scenarios that have not been fully
mapped out. The construction of demonstration plants in order to investigate the technical and
economic feasibility of these potential scenarios is practically unattainable as a result of the high cost
involved.
Thus one way of overcoming this obstacle is through the use of process simulation models to
simulate the operation and performance of the different process scenarios. The modelling and
simulation for the different bio?refinery scenarios stated in section 1.3 of chapter 1 will be carried out
using Aspen Plus? while the ?Aspen Icarus? will be used to carry out the economic analysis of the
different scenarios with the aim of conducting a techno?economic comparison of the different biorefinery
scenarios. The methodology adopted for this study is as listed below:
1. Accurate determination of the amount, location and current use of cassava waste biomass (starchbased
and lignocellulosic in numerous bio?based industries in Nigeria, together with estimation of the
fraction available for collection and the cost of collection and transport (if any) to suitable location.
2. Combination of experimental data from relevant literature data, demonstration and commercial
plants, and use the data to develop an Aspen Plus
model of an integrated bio?refinery process with
focus on the process scenarios listed under the project aim and objectives. .
3. Scale up the models developed based on the quantity of cassava waste biomass estimated in step
1.
4. The scaled up models for the various process scenarios developed in step 3 will be used to carry
out full sustainability study in order to evaluate its overall economic, environmental and social
impact. The process economics will be developed using Aspen Icarus. The environmental impact of
each of the process scenarios will be conducted using life cycle assessment (from feedstock to
product) study. The social impact of each of the scenarios will determined by evaluating its job
creation potential.