An integrated deep eutectic solvent-ionic liquid-metal catalyst system for lignin and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural production from lignocellulosic biomass: Technoeconomic analysis

There is an increasing interest in deep eutectic solvent (DES) and ionic liquid (IL) for lignin and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production from lignocellulosic biomass, but their economic costs raise great concerns. In this study, the effects of DES (ZnCl2-lactic acid)/IL([EMIM]Cl)/metal catalysts (CuCl2-CrCl2) recycling time, acetone/water washing volume, HMF yield, and production capacity on total capital investment, annual operating cost, and net present value (NPV) of the refinery were elucidated. Results showed that annual operating cost was highly associated with DES/IL/metal catalysts recycling time as it determined raw materials cost. The HMF MSP of $16453/MT for the base case (ZnCl2/lactic acid recycling 5 times, acetone/water washing 5 volumes, CuCl2-CrCl2-[EMIM]Cl recycling 10 times, HMF yield of 55%, and production capacity of 100 MT/h) was achieved with an IRR of 10%. Sensitivity analysis identified the unit costs of lactic acid and [EMIM]Cl as the dominant contributors to the HMF MSP. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd