Speaker Abstract
Biorefineries of 2030: Assessing the Potential
Mark Laser
Thayer School of Engineering
Dartmouth College
Mature technology biorefinery scenarios will be presented, including production of power, themochemical fuels, bioethanol, and animal feed, as well as co-production scenarios involving these products in various combinations. Our results suggest that many mature processing technology scenarios will have overall efficiencies (heating value of products/heating value of biomass) on par with today’s petroleum refineries, and be economically competitive with conventional processes at prices seen in recent years. These scenarios also result in significant greenhouse gas reductions and petroleum displacement, as will also be presented.