Economic potentials of pyro bio-oil production from sawdust generated by southwest, Nigeria - A simulation-based approach

Abstract

In this research, the pyrolysis of wood sawdust to obtain bio-oil was investigated as a viable solution to the waste management of wood sawdust in southwestern Nigeria. This is also with a view to mitigating the erratic state of power supply. Bio-oil, a component that could be obtained from the pyrolysis of biomass, can serve as source of bio-chemicals and fuels to produce electricity. An Aspen plus simulation software, V11 of 2019 involving a four-stage process was developed: pyrolysis, cyclone separation of char, condensation of bio-oil and separation of bio-oil. The material and energy flow across the process were accounted for, all the key process equipment were sized and a detailed economics of the process was estimated. From the results of the simulation, a production rate of 0.124 tons of bio-oil was achieved per ton of wood sawdust. The estimated payback period posed as a major factor in determining the sales price of bio-oil and securing the attention of the would-be investors was determined. The price of the producible bio-oil varied widely between $9.90/kg and $4.65/kg for payback period between 2 and 6 years. This study revealed that proper harnessing of this process of pyrolyzing wood sawdust has the potential of generating $305,595.37 yearly in Southwest, Nigeria alone. Also, an electricity generation capacity of 131,233.75 kWh per year is possible.