Modelling and techno-economic analysis of upgrading of FT-products into sustainable aviation fuels

Kurzfassung

This thesis presents the creation of a detailed kinetic model for converting Fischer-Tropsch (FT) outputs into kerosene through hydrocracking. The heart of this study involves linking a Pythondeveloped kinetic model for a hydrocracker with the process simulation tool Aspen Plus. Initially, it consists of transferring the input data, such as the composition of feed including n and iso paraffin from C1 to C70, along with operational conditions like temperature and pressure, from the Aspen Plus simulation flowsheet to the Python setting. This data forms the basis for the hydrocracker's kinetic model, which is carefully crafted and executed in Python. The model then carries out simulations of the hydrocracking process, providing detailed insights into product distribution and the efficiency of the reactor. Following this, the information generated by the Python-based hydrocracker model, including details on the composition and volume of the cracked products, is reintegrated into Aspen Plus as the output from the hydrocracker reactor. The process concludes with the refinement of the hydrocracked products using distillation columns in Aspen Plus, with an emphasis on generating high-quality kerosene. Following the integration of the Python-developed kinetic model with Aspen Plus, an optimization phase is undertaken. This phase includes process optimization via heat integration and a techno-economic analysis using the TEPET (Techno-Economic-Process-EvaluationTool) developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Following the implementation of heat integration, TEPET carries out a comprehensive technoeconomic analysis that involves assessing capital expenditure, operating costs, product outputs, and profitability. This results in production costs of 3.55 €/kg for the processing of FischerTropsch products with a kerosene yield of 63.7 kt/a.