Blending Model (Blend)

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Abstract: The biofuel blending model is a detailed linear programming (LP) model capable of exploring the potential for blending biomass-derived intermediates with petroleum-derived intermediates to meet finished fuel specifications. The overall objective of the blending model project is to (1) determine the amount of biomass-derived intermediates that can be blended into a gallon of gasoline and diesel, (2) assess the value of the biomass-derived hydrocarbon products as gasoline and diesel finished fuel blendstocks, and (3) identify the blending constraints for each of these biomass-derived fuels. The blending model has been developed in Aspen PIMS, which is a widely utilized program by
the refining industry, however limits the accessibility of the program to the general biofuels community.
Model/Tool Platform:
ASPEN PIMS/MS Excel
General Modeling Type:
Hybrid / other: Optimization (hybrid)
Primary analytical purpose:
Techno-economic analysis: Technical and economic analysis of technologies or systems of technologies.
Secondary analytical purpose:
Feasibility/Implementation assessment: Assessment of the feasibility or implementation of technologies and feedstocks in terms of operations or in the context of their landscape or market.
Metric categories:
  • Environmental:
    • Air Quality (non-GHG emissions)
    • GHG Emissions
    • Water Impacts (quality and/or quantity)
  • Socio-economic:
    • Process Productivity (conversion-related, e.g., yield)
    • Techno-economic Impact
Geospatial resolution:
Field/Watershed
Temporal resolution:
Days
Laboratory:
NREL - National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Principal investigators:
Yuan Jiang, Mike Talmadge
Model start year:
2014
Model last updated:
2017
Development status:
Fully Developed with periodic updates
Level of validation/review:
Internal QA/QC or Peer Review
Links:
Model scope:
Supply chain elements
Biomass Supply
Feedstock Logistics
Conversion
Distribution
End Use
  • Conversion Technology
    • Lignocellulosic Biomass to Biocrude Intermediate (TC)
    • Waste to Biocrude Intermediates (HTL)
    • Biomass-Based Oil Extraction
    • Syngas Catalytic Upgrading
    • Sugar Catalytic Upgrading
    • Oil Catalytic Upgrading
    • Sugar Biological Upgrading
    • Syngas Biological Upgrading
    • Alcohol Catalytic (e.g., ethanol or isobutanol to jet)
    • Algal Oil
    • Algae to Biocrude Intermediate (HTL)
    • HEFA
  • Products/Process Outputs
    • Transportation Fuels - Biodiesel
    • Transportation Fuels - Ethanol
    • Transportation Fuels - Renewable Diesel
    • Transportation Fuels - Renewable Gasoline
    • Transportation Fuels - Renewable Jet
    • Other Transportation Fuels
    • Intermediate - Pyrolysis or Biocrude Intermediate
    • Other Intermediate
    • Other Process Output
  • Transportation Market Segment
    • Light Duty Vehicles
    • Heavy Duty Vehicles
    • Trains
    • Aviation
    • Marine
Linkage Strength: (hover for description)
1
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4
Analytical Purpose
Supply Chain Elements
Biomass Supply
Feedstock Logistics
Conversion
Distribution
End Use

Feasibility / Implementation Models

Techno-economic analysis
Blending Model (Blend)
Supply chain elements: Conversion, Distribution, End Use
NREL Conversion TEA Models (NREL-TEA)
Supply chain elements: Conversion
PNNL Conversion TEA Models (PNNL-TEA)
Supply chain elements: Conversion
Refinery Co-processing Models (RCPM)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion

Impact Assessment Models

Biotrans
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use

Integrated Scenario Assessment Models

Bioenergy Scenario Model (BSM)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics, Conversion, Distribution, End Use

Data Compilation Tools

Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)
Supply chain elements: Biomass Supply, Feedstock Logistics
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Information last updated: Sep. 17, 2019 13:45:46 EDT