Recent advances in ex ante techno-environmental-economic assessment of thermochemical waste or biomass to energy technologies based on process simulation

Abstract

Thermochemical waste or biomass to energy (W/BtE) technology is known for its high conversion efficiency, rapid reaction rate, and foreseeable scale-up potential. To elucidate the coexisting risks and opportunities of newly proposed or ready-to-be-retrofitted W/BtE systems, ex ante techno-environmental-economic (TEE) assessment can provide multidimensional quantified guidance, while process simulation is an effective tool to predict their performance based on the existing laboratory- or pilot-scale experiment results. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of process simulation-based TEE assessment of W/BtE systems. It summarizes the establishment of applicable conditions for reactor-level modelling approaches. Next, the calculation methods and principles for TEE assessment are introduced. Furthermore, based on the review of studies published from 2020 to 2024, it fully investigates the advances in the optimization of thermochemical processes through process simulation and the performance improvement of W/BtE systems, including waste or biomass to power (W/BtP) and to fuel (W/BtF) systems. Eventually, it highlights that the enhancement of data source quality and in-depth consideration of realistic conditions are the key aspects to be improved in the future.