Biomass feedstocks that have front-end material handling steps factored in can be a strategic solution for derisking biofuel projects, as they can reduce the complexity of the project and the associated risks. This is especially beneficial in projects requiring large amounts of biomass feedstock, as the upfront material handling steps can help to ensure that the feedstock is of the right quality and quantity. Additionally, the upfront material handling steps have already been completed within unit operations of a primary process in a separate industry and thus can help to reduce the cost of the project, reducing the need for additional equipment and labor. Upfront material handling steps that have been previously executed well can also help to reduce the environmental impact and carbon intensity of a project, reducing the amount of waste generated and the amount of energy used.
As an example, let’s examine soybeans as a feedstock. Soybeans are harvested and transported to FDA-approved facilities for processing. The beans are cleaned, dried, and dehulled. The resulting hulls are low in lignin (2%), dried, contaminate-free, and consolidated for transport. Predominantly utilized for cattle feed and having a market value at this writing of $160 per ton, over 6 million tons of soyhulls are generated each year in the US. This volume is projected to reach 9 million tons per year by 2030 in the US and over 21 million tons per year globally. High in carbohydrate content and low in lignin, the soyhull represents one such feedstock for a business case that does not rely upon lignin valorization.
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