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Energy analysis and life cycle assessment of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural integrated biorefinery processes with heat pump-assisted reactive distillation

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  • Wiranarongkorn, Kunlanan
  • Im-Orb, Karittha
  • Saebea, Dang
  • Patcharavorachot, Yaneeporn
  • Arpornwichanop, Amornchai

Abstract

Bio-based products, such as biochemicals and bioenergy, have received considerable attention in efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. In this study, an integrated biorefinery process for the production of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) using sugarcane bagasse is proposed. Three process scenarios were compared: the integrated process of HMF and furfural production using (i) conventional reactive distillation (RD), (2) heat pump-assisted RD, and (3) heat pump-assisted RD with heat integration. The comparison focused on energy efficiency and life cycle analysis. The simulation results revealed that the overall energy efficiency of the proposed process could increase by 14.5 % with the additional heat pump to the RD column at a pressure ratio of 1.4 due to a reduction of external energy consumption. This improvement reduced the environmental impact of natural gas combustion for utility production. Specifically, the global warming potential of processes involving heat pump-assisted RD without and with heat integration decreased by 16.66 % and 80.08 %, respectively, compared to conventional RD. These results indicate that incorporating heat pump-assisted RD and implementing effective heat management within the integrated biorefinery process significantly decreased external energy consumption, leading to substantial environmental benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Wiranarongkorn, Kunlanan & Im-Orb, Karittha & Saebea, Dang & Patcharavorachot, Yaneeporn & Arpornwichanop, Amornchai, 2025. "Energy analysis and life cycle assessment of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural integrated biorefinery processes with heat pump-assisted reactive distillation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:319:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225003627
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134720
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wiranarongkorn, K. & Im-orb, K. & Patcharavorachot, Y. & Maréchal, F. & Arpornwichanop, A., 2023. "Comparative techno-economic and energy analyses of integrated biorefinery processes of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from biomass residue," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    2. Yan, Kai & Wu, Guosheng & Lafleur, Todd & Jarvis, Cody, 2014. "Production, properties and catalytic hydrogenation of furfural to fuel additives and value-added chemicals," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 663-676.
    3. Wiranarongkorn, Kunlanan & Im-orb, Karittha & Panpranot, Joongjai & Maréchal, François & Arpornwichanop, Amornchai, 2021. "Exergy and exergoeconomic analyses of sustainable furfural production via reactive distillation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    4. Feng, Ye & Chen, Jinglong & Luo, Ji, 2024. "Life cycle cost analysis of power generation from underground coal gasification with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to measure the economic feasibility," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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