Modeling and Analysis

Toward a common
classification approach for
biorefinery systems
Francesco Cherubini, Institute of Energy Research, Graz, Austria
Gerfried Jungmeier, Institute of Energy Research, Graz, Austria
Maria Wellisch, CanmetENERGY, Ottawa-Ontario, Canada
Thomas Willke, Institut für Agrartechnologie und Biosystemtechnik, Braunschweig, Germany
Ioannis Skiadas, Aalborg University, Ballerup, Denmark
René Van Ree, WUR, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Ed de Jong, Avantium Technologies BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Received June 19, 2009; revised version received July 16, 2009; accepted July 16, 2009
Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI: 10.1002/bbb.172;
Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009)

Abstract: This paper deals with a biorefinery classification approach developed within International Energy Agency
(IEA) Bioenergy Task 42. Since production of transportation biofuels is seen as the driving force for future biorefinery
developments, a selection of the most interesting transportation biofuels until 2020 is based on their characteristics
to be mixed with gasoline, diesel and natural gas, reflecting the main advantage of using the already-existing infra-
structure for easier market introduction.
This classification approach relies on four main features: (1) platforms; (2) products; (3) feedstock; and (4) process-
es. The platforms are the most important feature in this classification approach: they are key intermediates between
raw materials and final products, and can be used to link different biorefinery concepts. The adequate combination
of these four features represents each individual biorefinery system. The combination of individual biorefinery sys-
tems, linked through their platforms, products or feedstocks, provides an overview of the most promising biorefinery
systems in a classification network. According to the proposed approach, a biorefinery is described by a standard
format as ‘platform(s) – products – and feedstock(s)’. Processes can be added to the description, if further specifica-
tion is required. Selected examples of biorefinery classification are provided; for example, (1) one platform (C6 sug-
ars) biorefinery for bioethanol and animal feed from starch crops (corn); and (2) four platforms (lignin/syngas, C5/C6
sugars) biorefinery for synthetic liquid biofuels (Fischer-Tropsch diesel), bioethanol and animal feed from lignocellu-
losic crops (switchgrass).
This classification approach is flexible as new subgroups can be added according to future developments in the
biorefinery area. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Keywords: biorefinery; bioenergy; biofuels; biochemicals; classification; platform; feedstock

Correspondence to: Francesco Cherubini, Joanneum Research, Institute of Energy Research, Elisabethstraße 5, 8010 Graz, Austria. E-mail: [email protected]

© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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 F Cherubini et al. Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification

Introduction marketable products and energy.’6 Within this Task, a broad

spectrum of different biorefi nery systems is currently under
Background
study, some of which are already competitive in the market
he main fraction of worldwide energy carriers and

T material products, especially chemicals, is derived

from fossil fuels, mainly oil and natural gas. Due to
the expected price increase of fossil resources and their
while others are still under development. The number of
different types of biorefi neries is growing, and a few general
categories have been identified. A standard classification
for the different existing and emerging biorefi nery systems
environmental impacts, the feasibility of their exploitation is
is not yet available, so the classification topic is still under
predicted to decrease in the near future.1,2
debate. Th is paper addresses this issue, providing an
There is clear scientific evidence that emissions of green-
approach for biorefi nery system classification. Th is classifi-
house gases (GHG), such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
cation arises from the needs of IEA Bioenergy Task 42 for
(CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), arising from fossil fuel
a common way to describe energy-driven biorefi neries, i.e.,
combustion and land-use change as a result of human
systems that focus on the production of liquid or gaseous
activities, are perturbing the Earth’s climate.3 Over the past
transportation biofuels as their main product. Following
ten years, the transportation sector has shown the highest
an overview of the classification issue, this new classifica-
rates of growth in GHG emissions. By 2030, energy use and
tion approach is presented, discussed and applied to some
carbon emissions from transport are predicted to be 80%
examples.
higher than current levels.4 Concerning the existing chem-
ical industry (based on oil refinery), about 4% of worldwide
Classification issue
oil consumption is due to the production of chemicals and
The problem of classification was of interest to Aristotle as
plastics, which are responsible of about 2% of the total oil-
well.7 He thought that an all-embracing system of thought
derived CO2 emissions.5
must be built up around certain novel theoretical concep-
In addition to the necessary increase of energy efficiencies
tions, which could provide a logical skeleton for scientific
on both the supply and demand sides, the amount of renew-
explanation. For him, the logical backbone of science was to be
able energy must be increased in all sectors (electricity, heat,
provided by classification. Aristotle treated matter as species of
transportation and chemical industry), while at the same
a genus: instead of asking questions about the units of which
time securing the sustainability and affordable production
matter is composed, he was concerned with the characteristic
of biomass for food and feed taking into account a strongly
qualities distinguishing one substance from another. The chal-
growing world population. Electricity and heat can be
lenge was to discover the properties of different substances,
provided from different renewable resources like wind, solar,
which can best be used as a basis of classification.
hydropower and biomass, while the only renewable carbon
Two main attempts to classify biorefi nery systems are
source is biomass.
recognized in the literature.8,9 Several other papers mention
The replacement of fossil-based carbon with renewable
classification schemes for individual biorefineries set-ups
carbon from biomass leads to the development of biore-
such as the ‘liquid phase catalytic processing biorefinery’
fi nery facilities, where transportation biofuels, bioenergy,
concept10 and the ‘forest-based biorefinery’.11–13 The major
biochemicals, biomaterials, food and feed are efficiently
different biorefinery types are:
coproduced.
Among several defi nitions of biorefi nery, the most 1. The lignocellulosic feedstock biorefinery – uses nature-
exhaustive was recently formulated by International dry raw material, such as cellulose-containing biomass
Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task 42*: ‘Biorefi ning is and wastes.
the sustainable processing of biomass into a spectrum of 2. The whole crop biorefinery – uses raw materials, such as
cereals or maize.
*Biorefinery: co-production of fuels, chemicals power and material from bio- 3. The green biorefinery – uses nature-wet biomasses, such as
mass (http://www.biorefinery.nl /ieabioenergy-task42/) green grass, alfalfa, clover or immature cereal.

© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009); DOI: 10.1002/bbb

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 Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification F Cherubini et al.

4. The two-platform concept biorefinery – includes the as a lignocellulosic feedstock biorefinery (since ligno-
sugar and the syngas platforms. cellulosic biomass is used) and a two-platform concept
5. The conventional biorefinery–based on existing indus- biorefinery (because syngas is produced).
tries, such as the sugar and starch industry. • Biorefinery systems which use the grain and/or straw
6. The thermochemical biorefinery – based on a mix of portions of a crop (like the conventional production of
several technologies. bioethanol from corn) can be indistinctly classified as
7. The marine biorefinery – based on marine biomass. whole crop biorefineries.
8. The liquid-phase catalytic processing biorefinery – based • The possibility to combine different biorefinery systems
on the production of functionalized hydrocarbons from by linking different technologies is not taken into consid-
biomass-derived intermediates. eration. For example, if the carbohydrate fraction of a
9. The forest-based biorefinery – based on the full integra- lignocellulosic feedstock is used to produce cellulose and
tion of biomass and other feedstocks (including energy), xylose, the system is classified as a lignocellulosic feedstock
for simultaneous production of pulp, (paper) fibers, biorefinery; but can also be classified as a forest-based
chemicals and energy. biorefinery and, if the lignin fraction is pyrolyzed, the
same biorefinery is also suitable for classification as a two-
Examples on how biorefinery systems can be classified are
platform concept biorefinery.
shown in Table 1. These classifications are broad and generic,
and provide little information on the specific characteristics. The main reason for these contrasting results is that these
Some of the limitations include: classifications are based on a too large generalization in
which each individual biorefinery system must fit, as only a
• Classification criterion is not homogeneous: some of limited number of generic types are formulated.
these systems refer to the type of feedstock (e.g., ligno- Therefore, a comprehensive approach for biorefinery
cellulosic feedstock biorefinery, marine biorefinery and system classification is needed and seen as essential to
others), while others focus on the technologies involved advance the ongoing discussion and development of biore-
(e.g., thermochemical, conventional and two-platform finery systems. It is expected that a sound and flexible clas-
concept biorefinery). The possibility to apply techno- sification approach will be able to deal with the various
logical processes to different feedstocks is missing. For aspects of the biorefinery systems (both today’s and future
instance, a biorefinery system in which wood is gasified ones), and make the biorefi nery area more accessible for
to syngas (like the production of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) stakeholders by improving the understanding of different
fuels and chemicals from wood) can be categorized both biorefinery concepts. The aim of this paper is to describe a

Table 1. Classification of biorefinery systems using the existing methods.

Classification
8
Biorefinery system Kamm and Kamm Ree and Annevelink9
Production of bioethanol and animal feed
1 Whole crop biorefinery (?) Conventional biorefinery
from starch
Production of biodiesel, animal feed and
2 Whole crop biorefinery (?) Conventional biorefinery
glycerine from oil
Production of FT fuels and chemicals from
3 Lignocellulosic biorefinery Thermochemical biorefinery
wood
Production of biomethane, organic acids and
4 Green biorefinery Green biorefinery
biomaterials from grasses
Production of FT fuels and bioethanol from
5 Two-platform concept biorefinery Two-platform concept biorefinery
wood
(?) Uncertain classification

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 F Cherubini et al. Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification

classification approach in which each individual biorefinery The basic idea of this classification approach is that each
system is dealt with autonomously and classified according individual biorefinery system can be classified using the
to its own individual characteristics (features). The most following four main features (listed in order of importance):
important individual biorefinery systems are then combined
1. Platforms
in a network. The classification described here was recently
2. Products
adopted within the IEA Bioenergy Task 42.
3. Feedstock
4. Processes
The four features of classification
The increase of the biofuel share in the transportation sector A biorefinery system is described as a conversion pathway
is a driving factor for the development of advanced proc- from feedstock to products, via platforms and processes. The
esses to produce liquid and gaseous biofuels in biorefineries. platforms are intermediates from which fi nal products are
In Europe, according to the directive for renewable energy, derived. They are the most important feature in specifying
a target of 10% biofuel is set for 2020 and IEA and Inter- the type of biorefinery.
governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expect a Each feature consists of several subgroups, which are listed
10–20% worldwide contribution of biofuels on the transpor- in Table 2 and are described in the following sections.
tation market in 2030. For biomass-derived materials and
Platforms
chemicals, several procurement programs have been set but
Platforms are intermediates which link feedstocks and fi nal
no specific targets have been established. Therefore, the main
products. The platform concept is similar to that used in the
driver for the development of the energy-driven biorefi nery
petrochemical industry, where the crude oil is fractionated
can be seen in the efficient and cost-effective production of
into a large number of intermediates that are further proc-
transportation biofuels, with coproduced biomaterials and
essed to final energy and chemical products.
biochemicals providing additional economic and environ-
These platforms are recognized as the main ‘pillars’ of this
mental benefits.
biorefinery classification, since they might be reached via
With this perspective, a classification method for biore-
different conversion processes applied to various raw mate-
finery systems was developed focusing mainly on concepts
rials. Conversion of these platforms to marketable products
that are already commercial today, or might become of
can be carried out using the different processes described later.
interest within the next few years (up to 2020), for the
The most important platforms which can be recognized in
production of large volumes of transportation biofuels. The
energy-driven biorefi neries are the following:
first selection of the most interesting bioenergy carriers is
based on their chemical characteristics to be mixed with • Biogas (a mixture of mainly CH4 and CO2), from anaer-
gasoline, diesel and natural gas. This reflects the main obic digestion.
advantage of using the already-existing infrastructure (such • Syngas (a mix of CO and H2), from gasification.
as pipes, fuelling stations and vehicles) for easier market • Hydrogen (H2), from water-gas shift reaction, steam
introduction (e.g., in Austria, blending of bioethanol and reforming, water electrolysis and fermentation.
biodiesel with gasoline and diesel had already reached • C6 sugars (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose: C6H12O6), from
a share of 5.75% in 2008). These transportation biofuels hydrolysis of sucrose, starch, cellulose and hemicellulose.
include bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethane, and FT fuels. • C5 sugars (e.g., xylose, arabinose: C5H10O5), from hydrol-
In addition, some final products like biohydrogen can be ysis of hemicellulose and food and feed side streams.
used both as an energy carrier and as an important auxil- • Lignin (phenylpropane building blocks:
iary chemical for various processing technologies. To C9H10O2(OCH3)n), from the processing of lignocellulosic
some extent, the same is the case with bioethanol (green biomass.
ethylene) and biodiesel (triglyceride usage in lubricants and • Pyrolysis liquid (a multicomponent mixture of different
surfactants). size molecules), from pyrolysis.

© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009); DOI: 10.1002/bbb

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 Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification F Cherubini et al.

Table 2. Features (and relative subgroups) used in the proposed classification approach.
Platforms Products Feedstocks Processes (selected)
I.) C5 sugars I.) Energy products I.) Dedicated crops I.) Thermochemical
I.1) Biodiesel I.1) Oil crops I.1) Combustion
II.) C6 sugars I.2) Bioethanol I.2) Sugar crops I.2) Gasification
I.3) Biomethane I.3) Starch crops I.3) Hydrothermal upgrading
III.) Oils I.4) Synthetic biofuels I.4) Lignocellulosic crops I.4) Pyrolysis
I.6) Electricity and heat I.5) Grasses I.5) Supercritical
IV.) Biogas I.6) Marine biomass II.) Biochemical
II.) Material products II.1) Fermentation
V.) Syngas II.1) Food II.) Residues II.2) Anaerobic digestion
II.2) Animal feed II.1) Lignocellulosic residues II.3) Aerobic conversion
II 4) Enzymatic processes
VI.) Hydrogen II.3) Fertilizer II.2) Oil based residues III.) Chemical processes
II.4) Glycerin II.3) Organic residues & others III.1) Catalytic processes
VII.) Organic juice II.5) Biomaterials III.2) Pulping
II.6) Chemicals and building blocks III.3) Esterification
VIII.) Pyrolytic liquid II.7) Polymers and resins III.4) Hydrogenation
II.8) Biohydrogen III.5) Hydrolysis
IX) Lignin III.6) Methanisation
III.7) Steam reforming
X) Electricity and heat III.8) Water electrolysis
III.9) Water gas shift
IV.) Mechanical/physical
IV.1) Extraction
IV.2) Fiber separation
IV.3) Mechanical fractionation
IV.4) Pressing / disruption
IV.5) Pretreatment
IV.6) Separation

• Oil (triglycerides: RCOO-CH2CH(-OOCR’)CH2-OOCR”) 1. Energy-driven biorefinery systems, where the biomass is

from oilseed crops, algae and oil based residues. primarily used for the production of secondary energy
• Organic juice (made of different chemicals), which is the carriers (transportation biofuels, power and/or heat);
liquid phase extracted after pressing of wet biomass (e.g., products as feed are sold (current situation), or even
grass). better can be upgraded to added-value biobased prod-
• Electricity and heat, which can be internally used to meet ucts, to optimize economic and ecological performances
the energy needs of the biorefi nery or sold to the grid. of the full biomass supply chain.
2. Material-driven biorefinery systems, which primarily
Products generate biobased products (biomaterials, lubricants,
Biorefi neries produce both energetic and non-energetic chemicals, food, feed etc.) and process residues that
products, and can be broadly grouped into two main can be further processed or used to produce energy (for
classes: internal use or sale).

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 F Cherubini et al. Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification

In this classification approach, biorefinery products are 1. Agriculture (dedicated crops and crop residues).
divided into energy products and material products. Some 2. Forestry (wood, short-rotation poplar, logging residues).
products like biohydrogen or bioethanol might be used 3. Industry (process residues and wastes) and domestic
either as an energy or as a material product. In this classifi- activities (organic residues).
cation approach, the main market targets must be identified; 4. Aquaculture (algae, seaweed).
for instance, the chemical market for H2 and the transporta-
A further distinction is made between those feedstocks
tion sector for bioethanol.
which come from dedicated crops, produced on agriculture
Besides electricity and heat, the energy products include
or forestry land or in aquatic systems, and those that come
the most promising transportation biofuels until 2020:
from residues, from agricultural, forestry and industrial
bioethanol, biodiesel, synthetic biofuels (FT fuels and
activities.
others) and biomethane.
Biomass feedstocks vary in composition, with different
Material products include fine chemicals (such as amino
shares of basic components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin,
acids, organic acids and extracts) used in the food, chemical or
starch, triglycerides, and proteins) and three chemical
pharmaceutical industry, and animal feed and fiber products,
elements: carbon, oxygen and hydrogen (plus smaller
among others. The selected subgroups of material products are:
percentages of S, N and ashes). Other important character-
• Fertilizers. istics are water content, heating value and specific volume.
• Biohydrogen. In this classification approach, the following subgroups of
• Glycerin (from the transesterification of triglycerides). biomass feedstocks are assumed (Fig. 1):
• Chemicals and building blocks (b.b.) (e.g., fi ne chemicals,
1. Dedicated feedstocks:
aromatics, amino acids, xylitol, polyols, succinic-, lactic-,
• Sugar crops (e.g., sugarbeet, sugarcane)
levulinic- and itaconic acid, phenols, furan dicarboxylic
• Starch crops (e.g., wheat, corn, sweet sorghum)
acid, furfural, etc.).
• Lignocellulosic crops (e.g., wood, short rotation poplar,
• Polymers and resins (produced by (bio)chemical conver-
switchgrass and Miscanthus)
sion of biomass via monomeric intermediates (e.g., PHA,
• Oil-based crops (e.g., rapeseed, soya, palm oil, Jatropha
resins, PLA).
curcas)
• Food.
• Grasses (e.g., green plant materials, grass silage, imma-
• Animal feed.
ture cereals and plant shoots)
• Biomaterials (fiber products, polysaccharides, pulp and
• Marine biomass (e.g., micro and macro algae, seaweed)
paper, panels).
2. Residues
Feedstock • Oil-based residues (animal fat from food industries, used
Feedstock is the renewable raw material (biomass) that cooking oil from restaurants, households and others)
is converted into marketable products in a biorefinery. • Lignocellulosic residues (crop residues, saw mill residues
The biomass feedstock can be subdivided into primary, etc.)
secondary or tertiary.14* • Organic residues and others (e.g., organic urban waste,
Today, renewable carbon-based feedstocks for biorefinery manure, wild fruits and crops)
are typically provided from four different sectors:
Processes
*Primary feedstocks include primary biomass that is harvested from forest or
In order to produce biofuels, biochemicals, biomaterials,
agricultural land. Secondary feedstocks are process residues, such as sawmill food and/or feed, the feedstock is transformed into final
residues or black liquor generated by the forest products industry. Tertiary products using different conversion processes. Dependent on
feedstocks are postconsumer wastes or residues such as waste greases, their products (e.g., fuels, chemicals, materials, food, feed),
wastewaters, municipal solid waste (MSW), etc. biorefineries can be divided in systems where operations like

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 Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification F Cherubini et al.

Industries and
Agriculture Aquaculture Forestry
households

Dedicated crops Residues

Lignocellulosic
Sugar residues
Grasses
crops

Algae
Lignocellulosic
Organic residues
crops
and others

Starch Oil based

Oil crops
crops residues

Figure 1. Types of feedstocks selected for the classification.

fractionation/separation into polymeric products (food, feed, 3. Chemical processes (e.g., hydrolysis, transesterification,
biomaterials) are the main processes and systems for biofuels hydrogenation, oxidation, pulping), where a chemical
and biochemicals in which depolymerization and chemical, change in the substrate occurs.
thermochemical and/or biochemical conversion are the 4. Thermochemical (e.g., pyrolysis, gasification, hydro-
major processes. The aim of the biofuel processes is both to thermal upgrading, combustion), where feedstock under-
depolymerize and deoxygenate the biomass components. goes extreme conditions (high temperature and/or pres-
Deoxygenation is particularly important, especially for sure, with or without a catalytic mean).
producing transportation biofuels, as the presence of oxygen All these processes need auxiliary energy and auxiliary mate-
may reduce the heat content of the molecules and usually rials. The long-term goal is to minimize the auxiliary energy
gives them higher polarity, thus decreasing blending possi- and materials for conversion and to use auxiliary inputs from
bilities with existing fossil fuels. By contrast, the presence of renewable sources (hydropower, solar, biomass process resi-
oxygen in chemical products (e.g., polyols and organic acids) dues). For instance, when lignocellulosic feedstocks are used
often provides valuable physical and chemical properties to to produce bioethanol, the process residue lignin is combusted
the compound.15 to provide the heat and electricity required by the biorefinery
In biorefinery systems, several technological processes plant. Given its importance in the overall environmental
can be applied to convert biomass feedstock into marketable assessment, this classification also specifies the source of heat
products. This classification approach identifies four main and power for the energy needed by the system.
subgroups of processes:

1. Mechanical/physical (e.g., pressing, pre-treatment,

Biorefinery classification
milling, separation, distillation), which do not change Application to individual biorefinery systems
the chemical structure of the biomass components, but These four features, with their subgroups, are used for the
they only perform a size reduction or a separation of classification of biorefi nery systems. Figure 2 shows an
feedstock components. example of how these features are combined in a biore-
2. Biochemical (e.g., anaerobic digestion, aerobic and anaer- finery pathway. The generic biorefinery pathway starts
obic fermentation, enzymatic conversion), which occur at with a feedstock which is converted to one of the plat-
mild conditions (lower temperature and pressure) using forms, from which final energy and material products are
microorganisms or enzymes. produced (Fig. 2(a)). In Fig. 2(b) an example of a biorefinery

© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009); DOI: 10.1002/bbb

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 F Cherubini et al. Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification

(a) (b) Starch crops system producing bioethanol from corn is shown. After the
Feedstock
(corn) mechanical treatment, corn is hydrolyzed to C6 sugars (the
platform) and then fermented to bioethanol (the energy
Mechanical Mechanical product), with animal feed as coproduct (the material
process fractionation
product).
Chemical
Hydrolysis Biorefinery systems are classified according to this proce-
process
dure:

Platform C6 sugars 1. Identify the main features of the biorefi nery system and
list them.
Biochemical
Fermentation
2. Draw the scheme of the biorefinery system using the
process
involved features, i.e., platform(s), feedstock, products
and processes.
Energy Material
product product Bioethanol Animal feed 3. Label the biorefinery system by quoting the involved
number of platforms, marketable products, feedstocks
Figure 2 Example on the combination of the features for the and, if necessary, the processes, i.e.: number of platform
classification of a biorefinery system: generic system (a) and (platforms) biorefinery for products from feedstocks.
example (b).

Table 3. Application of the classification to selected biorefinery systems.

Source of
Products auxiliary energy
# Name Platforms Energy Material Feedstock Processes Heat Power
1 One-platform (C6 sugar) C6 sugars Bioethanol Animal feed Starch crops Hydrolysis, Natural Grid
biorefinery for bioethanol (corn) fermentation gas
and animal feed from
starch crops
2 One-platform (oil) biore- Oil Biodiesel Animal feed Oil crops Pressing, Natural Grid
finery for biodiesel, ani- (rape cake), (rapeseed) transesterifi- gas
mal feed and glycerine glycerine cation
from oil crops
3 One-platform (syngas) Syngas Synthetic Chemicals Lignocellulosic Pre-treat- Natural Grid
biorefinery for synthetic biofuels (alcohols) residues (straw) ment, gas
biofuels and chemicals (FT-fuels) gasification,
from lignocellulosic FT synthe-
residues sis, alochol
synthesis
4 Two-platform (biogas Biogas, or- Biomethane Chemi- Grasses Press- Natural Grid
and organic juice) biore- ganic juice cal b.b. ing, fiber gas
finery for biomethane, (lactic acid, separation,
chemical b.b., biomateri- amino acid), anaerobic
als and fertilizer from biomaterials digestion,
grasses (fibers) upgrading
(…)
5 Four-platform (C6/C5 C6/C5 sugars, Synthetic Animal feed Lignocellulosic Pre-treat- Natural Grid
sugars and lignin/syn- lignin, syngas biofuels crops (switch- ment, gas
gas) biorefinery for syn- (FT-fuels), grass) hydrolysis,
thetic biofuels, bioetha- bioethanol fermenta-
nol and animal feed from tion, gasifi-
lignocellulosic crops cation, FT
synthesis

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 Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification F Cherubini et al.

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3

Starch crops Oil crops Lignocellulosic

(corn) (rape seeds) residues (straw)

Mechanical Pretreatment
Pressing
fractionation

Gasification
Hydrolysis
Oil
Syngas
C6 sugars
Estherification
Alcohol
FT synthesis
Fermentation synthesis

Chemicals Synthetic
Bioethanol Animal feed Glycerine Biodiesel Animal feed (alcohols ) biofuels (FT)

Example 4 Example 5
Grasses Lignocellulosic
crops (switchgrass)

Fractionation
and pressing Pretreatment

Fiber
separation
Organic C5 sugars Hydrolysis Lignin
juice
Anaerobic
digestion Gasification
C6 sugars
Extraction
Biogas
Syngas

Fermentation
Upgrading
FT-synthesis

Biomaterials Chemicals & b.b. (lactic Synthetic

(fiber products)
Biomethane Fertilizer and amino acids) Animal feed Bioethanol
biofuels (FT)

Figure 3. Schemes for the classification of biorefinery systems.

4. Set-up a table for the classified biorefinery systems with • Example 3: One-platform (syngas) biorefinery for
their features and the source of internal energy demand synthetic biofuels (FT diesel) and chemicals (alcohols)
(i.e., heat and power). from lignocellulosic residues (straw).
• Example 4 – Green Biorefinery: Two-platform (biogas
This classification procedure is applied in the following
and organic juice) biorefinery for biomethane, chem-
examples, where the biorefinery systems of Table 1 are
ical building blocks (lactic acid and amino acids),
classified (their schemes are shown in Fig. 3 and their clas-
biomaterials (fiber products) and fertilizer from
sification in Table 3):
grasses.
• Example 1: One-platform (C6 sugar) biorefinery for • Example 5: Four-platform (lignin/syngas, C5/C6 sugar)
bioethanol and animal feed from starch crops (corn). biorefinery for synthetic liquid biofuels (FT diesel),
• Example 2: One-platform (oil) biorefinery for biodiesel, animal feed and bioethanol from lingocellulosic crops
animal feed and glycerin from oil crops (rape seeds). (switchgrass).

© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009); DOI: 10.1002/bbb

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 F Cherubini et al. Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification

This classification approach was also tested with further orientation, from feedstock to products (Fig. 4). The network
existing biorefinery systems taken from the literature; for provides an overview of the most representative individual
example, four concepts from the Bioenergy Network of biorefinery systems which can be classified.
Excellence,16 three referenced case studies17 and one biore- The upper level of the network of Fig. 4 shows the different
finery commercial plant.18 These biorefi neries are classi- types of feedstocks converted to platforms and/or products
fied according to this approach and shown in Table 4: each by combining different processes. Since there are some proc-
system properly fits in the classification and is clearly classi- esses which are suitable for more than one platform, some
fied and described. platforms and conversion processes are linked together as
well, thus combining two or more individual biorefinery
Network – Combination of individual biorefinery systems. As a consequence, the number of involved plat-
systems forms is an indication of biorefi nery system complexity. In
The features, with their subgroups, are linked in a network Fig. 4, this possibility is shown by dotted lines. A particular
which describes the most promising individual biorefinery role is played by the electricity and heat platform, which can
systems toward the 2020s with a transportation biofuel be reached from almost all the biomass feedstocks and other

Organic residues Starch Sugar Lignocellulosic Lignocellulosic Marine Oil based

Grasses Oil crops
and others crops crops crops residues biomass residues

Grain Straw Straw

Separation Fractionation and/
Pretreatment Pressing/
or pressing
desruption

Fiber
Lignin
Gasification
separation Organic
juice Pyrolysis, HTU Oil
Hydrolysis

Syngas
Anaerobic Extraction Pyrolytic
digestion
C6 sugars C5 sugars liquid

Water gas
shift Separation

Electricity Hydrogenation/
Upgrading
Biogas Methanisation & heat Chemical
Fermentation reaction
Upgrading Chemical
reaction
Estherification
Upgrading
Steam
reforming
Water
H2 electrolysis

Chemical
Legend reaction

Feedstock Chemical Thermochemical

process process

Platform Mechanical/ Biochemical

Physical process processes
Biomethane Biomaterials
Chemicals and Synthetic biofuels Polymers and Food Animal
Material
building blocks (FT, DME…) resins feed
Energy products
products

Link among biorefinery pathways Fertilizer Bio-H2 Bioethanol Glycerin Electricity Biodiesel
and heat

Figure 4 Network where the individual biorefinery systems are combined.

© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009); DOI: 10.1002/bbb

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 Table 4. Application of the classification to biorefinery systems taken from the literature. Systems from 1–4 from Bioenergy NoE,15 5–7

BBB172.indd 11
from Cherubini16 and 8 from Modahl et al.17
Source of auxiliary
Products energy
# Name Platforms Energy Material Feedstock Processes Heat Power
1 Two-platform (C5 and C6) C6 sugars, C5 Bioethanol Biomaterials Lignocellulosic Pre-treatment, Unspecified
biorefinery for bioetha- sugars (pulp and residues (from hydrolysis,
nol from lignocellulosic paper) pulp & paper fermentation,
residues industry) distillation

2 One-platform (pyrolytic Pyrolytic Chemicals (unspecified) Lignocellulosic Pre-treatment, Unspecified

liquid) biorefinery for chemi- liquid residues (lignin) pyrolysis,
cals from lignocellulosic separation
residues
Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification

3 One-platform (syngas) bi- Syngas Synthetic biofu- Chemicals Lignocellulosic Pre-treatment, Unspecified
orefinery for synthetic bio- els (FT fuels) (activated residues (forest) gasification,
fuels and chemicals from carbon and FT synthesis,
lignocellulosic residues others) chemical reac-
tions
4 One-platform (oil) biore- Oil Biodiesel Chemicals Oil based resi- Pressing, Natural Grid
finery for biodiesel and (brassylic and dues estherification, gas
chemicals from oil based pelargonic chemical reac-
residues acid) tions
5 Six-platform (electric- C6/C5 sugars, Bioethanol, Chemicals Lignocellulosic Pre-treatment, Process residues
ity & heat, C5/C6 sugars, lignin, pyrolyt- biomethane, (phenols) residues (corn hydrolysis,
biogas, lignin/pyrolytic oil) ic oil, biogas, electricity and stover) fermentation,
biorefinery for bioethanol, electricity and heat pyrolysis,
biomethane, electricity and heat combustion,
heat and chemicals from separation (…)
lignocellulosic residues
6 Six-platform (electricity & C5/C6 sugars, Bioethanol, Chemicals Lignocellulosic Pre-treatment, Process residues
heat, C5/C6 sugars, lignin, lignin, H2, bi- biomethane, (fumaric acid, residues (from hydrolysis, wa-
H2 and biogas) biorefinery ogas, electric- synthetic O2), resins forestry) ter electrolysis,
for bioethanol, biomethane, ity and heat biofuels (MTHF), (furanic) fermentation,

© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009); DOI: 10.1002/bbb
synthetic biofuels, chemi- electricity and anaerobic
cals, resins, electricity and heat digestion (…)
heat from lignocellulosic
residues
7 Six-platform (electricity & C5/C6 sugars, Synthetic biofuel Chemicals Lignocellulosic Pre-treatment, Process residues
heat, C5/C6 sugars, lignin/ lignin, pyro- (ethyl levulinate), (formic, suc- crops (switch- acid hydrolysis,
pyrolytic oil and H2) biore- lytic oil, H2, electricity and cinic acid, grass) hydrogenation,
finery for synthetic biofuels, electricity and heat phenols) combustion,
chemicals, electricity and heat flash pyrolysis
heat from lignocellulosic (…)
crops
8 Four-platform (C5/C6 C5/C6 sugars, Bioethanol Biomaterials Lignocellulosic Pre-treat- Biogas & Hydro,
sugars, biogas and lignin) biogas and (specialty residues ment, pulping, residues MSW, oil
biorefinery for bioethanol, lignin cellulose), fermentation,
biomaterials, chemicals chemicals anaerobic
from lignocellulosic resi- (vanillin) digestion
dues
F Cherubini et al.

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 F Cherubini et al. Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification

platforms via combustion. This heat and power can be used The network description does provide a valuable over-
to meet the energy demand of the biorefi nery itself, used view of the most important systems, identifying possible
as an energy source from a nearby individual biorefi nery alternative pathways for exploiting all the different biomass
system or sold to the public grid. components. Similarly, biomass conversions can be driven in
The biorefinery network of Fig. 4 leads to the possi- order to reach the desired products and biological, chemical
bility to replace fossil-energy-based products, both energy and thermal processes can be integrated and optimized to
carriers and materials, in the most efficient way. Regarding extract maximum value.
bioenergy, a biorefinery competes with energy services
from fossil fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, heating oil, coal and Conclusions
natural gas) with the production of transportation biofuels
Energy and material production from biomass is maximized
and bioenergy from processing of biomass feedstocks.
when raw materials are used with a biorefi nery approach,
Concerning biomass-derived chemicals, this objective is
where several technological processes are jointly applied to
met by producing the same chemical molecule from biomass
different kinds of biomass feedstock for producing a wide
instead of from fossils (e.g., phenols), or producing a mole-
range of bioproducts for energy and material products. A
cule having a different structure but an equivalent function.
large number of biorefi nery pathways, from feedstock to
products, may be established, according to the different
Discussion
types of feedstock, conversion technologies and products.
According to IEA Bioenergy Task 42 priorities, this classifica-
Therefore, a sound and flexible classification approach able
tion method was developed for biorefinery systems which focus
to take into account the most telling features of biorefi nery
on the large-volume production of transportation biofuels
systems is required.
which can be blended with gasoline, diesel or natural gas.
This paper provides a classification approach for indi-
Furthermore, biorefinery systems can be classified at
vidual biorefinery systems and their possible combination.
different levels of details (e.g., processes and subgroups can be
This classification was developed to meet the need of IEA
detailed step by step). An important characteristic of this clas-
Bioenergy Task 42 ‘Biorefinery’ to have a practical classi-
sification approach is that it can be expanded to include future
fication tool for biorefineries in general and energy-driven
developments in the research and development of biorefinery
biorefineries in particular. The method is based on four
activities: new feedstocks, platforms, processes or products can
features (platforms, products, feedstocks and processes) and
be added to features and to the network of Fig. 4.
their subgroups, which are used to classify and describe the
Limitations of this current classification might arise when
different biorefinery systems. These features are also utilized
it is applied to biorefinery systems with a main focus on
to identify and label the individual biorefinery systems.
chemical, food and feed products. Compared to the energy-
The main remarks arising from the application of this clas-
driven biorefineries, the classification of material-driven
sification approach are the following:
biorefinery systems might need further specification as the
subgroup ‘chemicals and building blocks’ is very large and • It is a classification with a relatively simple and schematic
with heterogenous composition. approach.
Another limitation may be recognized in the final denomi- • Individual biorefinery systems are classified without an
nation, which might become too long in cases with more attempt to fit in a priori generic systems and this classifi-
than one platform. However, an acronym notation can be cation is based on systematic and homogeneous criteria,
elaborated to resolve this issue. which results in no overlaps, inconsistencies and misun-
At present, the selection of the energy products is limited derstandings, as previous classification methods have
to those transportation biofuels identified as most impor- done.
tant until 2020. New transportation biofuels can be added • Unlike previous methods, this classification approach
following the future developments of research activities. offers the possibility to combine different biorefinery

© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009); DOI: 10.1002/bbb

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 Modeling and Analysis: Biorefinery classification F Cherubini et al.

systems into the so-called industrial ‘bioclusters’ or 3. IPCC, Climate change 2007: the physical science basis. Contribution
of working group 1 to the Fourth Assessment Report of the
‘biorefinery complexes’, due to the fact that some proc-
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ed by Solomon S, Qin
esses, platforms or feedstocks are able to join two or D, Manning M, Chen Z, Marquis M, Averyt KB, Tignor M & Miller HL.
more individual biorefi nery systems. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA
• The classification approach is flexible as further (2007).
4. IPCC, Climate change 2007: mitigation. Contribution of working group
subgroups of the four features may be specified.
3 to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
• Every biorefinery system can be classified and described Climate Change, ed by Metz B, Davidson OR, Bosch PR, Dave R & Meyer
at the required level of detail. LA. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, UK and New York, USA
• The classification network that links different individual (2007).
5. Nossin PMM, White biotechnology: replacing black gold? Fifth
biorefinery systems promotes an understanding of the
International Conference on Renewable Resources and Biorefineries,
whole biomass system by displaying all the different Ghent, Belgium, 10–12 June (2009).
conversion alternatives of each biomass component. 6. IEA, IEA (International Energy Agency) Bioenergy Task 42 on
• The classification of some biorefi nery systems with Biorefineries. Minutes of the third Task meeting, Copenhagen, Denmark,
25 and 26 March (2008). Available at: www.biorefinery.nl\ IEABioenergy
multiple platforms may result in relatively long names;
-Task42 [13 August 2009].
this will be overcome with the further development of a 7. Toulmin S and Goodfield J, The architecture of matter. The University of
proper acronym notation. Chicago Press, Chicago, USA, pp.85–88 (1962).
• Application of this classification approach to biorefinery 8. Kamm B and Kamm M, Principles of biorefineries. Appl Microbiol
Biotechnol 64:137–145 (2005).
systems with a focus on biomaterials and chemicals
9. Ree van R and Annevelink B, Status Report Biorefinery 2007. Report 847,
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added to specify the required details. biofuels: Next generation hydrocarbon biorefineries, ed by Huber GW.
University of Massachusetts Amherst, National Science Foundation.
• Finally, this classification can be easily updated together
Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
with the future results of the ongoing activities of Division, Washington DC. 180 pp (2008). Available at: http://www.ecs.
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This paper was funded by IEA Bioenergy Task 42 ‘Biorefin-
the forest biorefinery. Industrial Biotechnology 3:112–119 (2007).
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countries (and representatives): Austria (Gerfried Jungmeier 14. Speight JG, Synthetic Fuels Handbook – Properties, processes and
performances. McGraw-Hill, USA 422 pp (2008).
and Michael Mandl), Canada (Kirsty Piquette and Maria
15. Lange JP, Lignocellulose conversion: an introduction to chemistry,
Wellisch), Denmark (Henning Jorgensen and Ioannis process and economics. Biofuels, Bioprod Bioref 1:39–48 (2007).
Skiadas), France (Leonard Boniface and Jean-Cristoph 16. Bioenergy NoE, Minutes of the JER meeting on biorefineries. ECN
Pouet), Germany (Thomas Willke), Ireland (Patrick Walsh), Biomass 7.5243-05/PC 02, Petten, 16 November ( 2005). Available at:
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17. Cherubini F, Life cycle assessment of biorefinery systems based on
lignocellulosic raw materials – Concept development, classification and
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© 2009 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. (2009); DOI: 10.1002/bbb

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