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[Display omitted] • Simultaneous effect of KOH and biochar was studied on hydrolysis and syntropy. • Taguchi based design of experiment was coupled with grey relation analysis. • 0.5 g/100 g straw of alkali and 10 g/L of biochar was the optimised dosing. • Techno-economic analysis showed US$ 25,652 of NPV and 11.29% IRR. The present study investigated the effect of alkali and biochar addition for simultaneous increment of hydrolysis and syntropy for higher methane yield from pearl millet straw (PMS) in solid state anaerobic digestion. A taguchi based design of experiment was coupled with grey relation analysis for multiple output optimization. Study showed that 0.5 g (g/100 g PMS) of alkali and 10 g/L of biochar was the optimised dosing. Statistically, contribution of biochar and alkali was 48 and 21% respectively on the multiple output. The confirmation test revealed that hydrolysis rate constant, k and total volatile fatty acid/alkalinity ratio for reactor having optimised conditions was 0.0521 d-1 and 0.36 while for control, it was 0.0595 d-1 and 0.76 respectively. Techno-economic assessment showed US$ 25,652 of net present value and 11.29% of internal rate of return. Sensitivity analysis showed that capital expenditure and methane yield was most sensitive to net present value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the economic feasibility of an integrated production pathway combining fast pyrolysis and bio-oil gasification. The conversion process is simulated with Aspen Plus® for a 2000 metric ton per day facility. Techno-economic analysis of this integrated pathway has been conducted. A total capital investment of $510 million has been estimated and the minimum fuel selling price (MSP) is $5.59 per gallon of gasoline equivalent. The sensitivity analysis shows that the MSP is most sensitive to internal rate of return, fuel yield, biomass feedstock cost, and fixed capital investment. Monte-Carlo simulation shows that MSP for bio-oil gasification would be more than $6/gal with a probability of 0.24, which indicates this pathway is still at high risk with current economic and technical situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]