Bio-oil transport by pipeline: A techno-economic assessment

Bio-oil, produced by fast pyrolysis of biomass, has high energy density compared to ‘as received’ biomass. The study assesses and compares the cost of transportation ($/liter of bio-oil) of bio-oil by pipeline and truck. The fixed and variable cost components of transportation of bio-oil at a pipeline capacity of 560 m3/day and to a distance of 100 km are 0.0423 $/m3 and 0.1201 $/m3/km, respectively. Pipeline transportation of bio-oil costs less than transportation by liquid tank truck (load capacity 30 m3) and super B-train trailer (load capacity 60 m3) above pipeline capacities of 1000 and 1700 m3/day, respectively. When transportation distance is greater than 100 km, bio-oil must be heated at booster stations. When transporting bio-oil by pipeline to a distance of 400 km, minimum pipeline capacities of 1150 and 2000 m3/day are required to compete economically with liquid tank trucks and super B-train tank trailers, respectively.