The alternative fuels research group at DLR in Stuttgart is focused on the development, optimization and economic evaluation of biofuel production processes. To do it, process simulation with the commercial software Aspen Plus® is carried out. Implemented process simulations give details of interactions of production units in terms of operation conditions (temperature, pressure, mass flows), energy efficiency and optimal process design. Each process is then implemented in an in-house tool for techno-economic evaluation, with which fuel net productions costs, CAPEX (Capital expenditure) and OPEX (Operational expenditure) are calculating. At last, a life cycle analysis is carried out to determine its carbon footprint.
Within the COMSYN project, DLR extends its research on biofuels production pathways and has the opportunity to work together with experienced partners on biofuels production process.