Techno-economic evaluation of biofuels production from RBDPO using metal with zeolite support as strategies to end crude oil dependence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61511/jimese.v4i1.2026.3139Keywords:
bioavtur, biogasoline, techno economic studyAbstract
Background: The production of sustainable aviation fuel and bio gasoline from refined bleached degummed palm oil (RBDPO) has attracted increasing attention as a strategy to support low-carbon energy development. However, due to the complexity of the liquid product composition, determining the dominant reaction pathways and evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of the process remain challenging. This study aims to evaluate the techno-economic feasibility of hydrodeoxygenation of RBDPO under atmospheric to intermediate pressure conditions. Methods: The process technology was developed based on mass and energy balances and financial modelling. Atom mass balance combined with error minimization was applied to identify the dominant reaction pathways, Process simulations were performed using Aspen HYSYS, while laboratory data were used as the basis for economic evaluation. Equipment costs were estimated using Aspen Capital Cost Estimator to determine the total capital investment. Findings: The results indicate that several reactions occur during biofuel (bioavtur and bio gasoline) production, including hydrodeoxygenation, hydro decarboxylation, cracking, and polymerization. A standalone bioavtur plant requires a capital expenditure (CAPEX) of approximately USD 87,775,899 and an operating expenditure (OPEX) of USD 6,487,559, assuming an exchange rate IDR 15,500 per USD. The financial analysis yields an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 12.59% and a Net Present Value (NPV) of IDR 685,679,000,000. In comparison, a bio gasoline plant requires a lower CAPEX of USD 75,256,210 and an OPEX of USD 5,944,681 under the same exchange rate. Furthermore, it demonstrates better financial performance, with an IRR of 15.46% and a NPV of IDR 346,690,000,000. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that hydrodeoxygenation of RBDPO is technically feasible and economically viable under atmospheric to intermediate pressure conditions. These findings provide a practical basis for developing commercially competitive bioavtur and bio gasoline production systems. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study combines reaction pathways analysis and techno-economic evaluation of RBDPO hydrodeoxygenation for sustainable biofuel production.
References
Ahmed, T., Makwashi, N., & Hameed, M. (2017). A review of gravity three-phase separators. Journal of Energy in Southern Africa. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC-ad9bb45c1
Al-Haj Ibrahim, H. (2014). Design of fractionation columns. In MATLAB applications for the practical engineer. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/57249
Al-Thani, F. F. J. (2002). Comprehensive financial model for oil and gas field projects in Qatar [Doctoral dissertation, University of Leeds]. White Rose eTheses. https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/3891/
Aries, R. S., & Newton, R. D. (1955). Chemical engineering cost estimation. McGraw-Hill.
Asnawati, D., Saviola, A. J., Wijaya, K., Kartini, I., Purwono, S., Rodiansono, R., Mara, A., Oh, W.-C., Kristiani, A., Sudiyarmanto, S., & Trisunaryanti, W. (2025). Toward efficient bio-jet fuel production via atmospheric hydrotreating: Insight into the effect of Co/HZSM-5, Mo/HZSM-5, and CoMo/HZSM-5 catalyst arrangements. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 50, 21123–21144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-025-10510-5
Badan Pengelola Dana Perkebunan. (2025). Perjalanan panjang biodiesel sawit Indonesia dan manfaat yang diberikan. https://www.bpdp.or.id/perjalanan-panjang-biodiesel-sawit-indonesia-dan-manfaat-yang-diberikan
Baskar, S., & Sivaji Ganesh, S. (2018). Introduction to numerical analysis: Study material for MA 214 (4th ed.). Department of Mathematics, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. https://www.math.iitb.ac.in/~siva/si50716/SI507lecturenotes.pdf
Biro Humas Kementerian Perdagangan. (2024, October 1). Amankan kosmetik impor ilegal senilai Rp11,45 miliar, Mendag Zulkifli Hasan: Sinergi Satgas, tekan impor kosmetik ilegal. Kementerian Perdagangan Republik Indonesia.
Chong, C. T., Fan, Y. V., Lee, C. T., & Klemeš, J. J. (2022). Post COVID-19 energy sustainability and carbon emissions neutrality. Energy, 241, 122801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.122801
Crespo, I., Palos, R., Trueba, D., Bilbao, J., Arandes, J. M., & Gutiérrez, A. (2023). Intensifying gasoline production in the hydrocracking of pre-hydrotreated light cycle oil by means of Pt and Pd supported on a spent FCC catalyst. Fuel, 334, 126579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.126579
Dachyar, M., & Sanjiwo, Z. A. H. (2018). Business process re-engineering of engineering procurement construction (EPC) project in oil and gas industry in Indonesia. Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 11(9), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst/2018/v11i9/92741
Dixon, J. (1891). Ruen. Notes and Queries, s7-XI(287), 508. https://doi.org/10.1093/nq/s7-XI.287.508b
Elliott, D. C. (2007). Historical developments in hydroprocessing bio-oils. Energy & Fuels, 21(3), 1792–1815. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef070044u
Ellzey, J. L., Belmont, E. L., & Smith, C. H. (2019). Heat recirculating reactors: Fundamental research and applications. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 72, 32–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2018.12.001
Furimsky, E. (2000). Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation. Applied Catalysis A: General, 199(2), 147–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0926-860X(99)00555-4
Gandy, D. (2007). Carbon steel handbook (Final Report No. 1014670). Electric Power Research Institute.
Hafeez, S., Mahmood, S., Aristodemou, E., Al-Salem, S. M., Manos, G., & Constantinou, A. (2021). Process simulation modelling of the catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of 4-propylguaiacol in microreactors. Fuels, 2(3), 272–285. https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels2030016
Hays Oil & Gas, & Oil and Gas Job Search. (2012). The oil & gas global salary guide 2012.
Hussain, J. N. (2008). Sensitivity analysis to select the most influential risk factors in a logistic regression model. International Journal of Quality, Statistics, and Reliability, 2008, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1155/2008/471607
Institute for Essential Services Reform. (2022). Indonesia: Climate Transparency Report: Comparing G20 climate action. Climate Transparency. https://iesr.or.id/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IESR-Climate-Transparency-Report-2022-Indonesia-Profile.pdf
Karimi, M., Simsek, H., & Kheiralipour, K. (2025). Advanced biofuel production: A comprehensive techno-economic review of pathways and costs. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 25, 100863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100863
Kaufmann, G. F. (1962). Petroleum developments in Far East during 1961. AAPG Bulletin, 46(7), 1281–1297.
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. (2016). Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 28 of 2016 concerning electricity tariffs provided by PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero). https://jdih.esdm.go.id/dokumen/view?id=1561
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. (2020, April 28). Gas price for power generation set at US$6 per MMBTU. Directorate General of Oil and Gas. https://migas.esdm.go.id/post/read/harga-gas-untuk-pembangkit-listrik-ditetapkan-us-6-per-mmbtu
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. (2024). Handbook of energy & economic statistics of Indonesia 2023. Center for Data and Information Technology, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. https://www.esdm.go.id/assets/media/content/content-handbook-of-energy-and-economic-statistics-of-indonesia-2023.pdf
Kos, A., Tefelski, D. B., Kościesza, R., Rostocki, A. J., Roszkiewicz, A., Ejchart, W., Jastrzębski, C., & Siegoczyński, R. M. (2007). Certain physico-chemical properties of triolein and methyl alcohol–triolein mixture under pressure. High Pressure Research, 27(1), 39–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/08957950601089735
Kubička, D., & Kaluža, L. (2010). Deoxygenation of vegetable oils over sulfided Ni, Mo and NiMo catalysts. Applied Catalysis A: General, 372(2), 199–208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcata.2009.10.034
León, M., Silva, J., Carrasco, S., & Barrientos, N. (2020). Design, cost estimation and sensitivity analysis for a production process of activated carbon from waste nutshells by physical activation. Processes, 8(8), 945. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8080945
Mawhood, R., Gazis, E., de Jong, S., Hoefnagels, R., & Slade, R. (2016). Production pathways for renewable jet fuel: A review of commercialization status and future prospects. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 10(4), 462–484. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1644
Nugraha, A., & Nandiyanto, A. B. D. (2021). How to read and interpret GC/MS spectra. Indonesian Journal of Multidiciplinary Research, 1(2), 171–206. https://doi.org/10.17509/ijomr.v1i2.35191
Nuryadin, D., Nurcholis, M., & Rahmanda, G. A. (2023). Sustainable bioavtur: A system dynamics approach to addressing the aviation industry’s environmental impact. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1242, 012032. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1242/1/012032
Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation. (2020, March 5). Gov’t plans to boost oil production to 1 million barrel per day in 2030. Sekretariat Kabinet Republik Indonesia. https://setkab.go.id/en/govt-plans-to-boost-oil-production-to-1-million-barrel-per-day-in-2030/
Øi, L. E., Haukås, A., Aromada, S., & Eldrup, N. (2022). Automated cost optimization of CO₂ capture using Aspen HYSYS. Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings, 293–300. https://doi.org/10.3384/ecp21185293
Pearlson, M., Wollersheim, C., & Hileman, J. (2013). A techno-economic review of hydroprocessed renewable esters and fatty acids for jet fuel production. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 7(1), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.1378
Peters, M. S., & Timmerhaus, K. D. (1991). Plant design and economics for chemical engineers (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Sinambela, E. A., & Mohammad, D. (2020). Cost behavior analysis and categorization. Journal of Social Science Studies (JOS3), 2(1), 13–16. https://doi.org/10.56348/jos3.v2i1.18
Supriatini, K. A. S., Jumiari, N. K. V., Fernanda, M. D. A., Agihidayantari, E., & Dewi, L. P. D. C. (2020). Analisis perhitungan harga pokok produksi air sebagai dasar penentuan harga jual air pada Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum (PDAM) Kabupaten Buleleng. JINAH (Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi dan Humanika), 7(3). https://doi.org/10.23887/jinah.v7i3.20031
Tao, L., Milbrandt, A., Zhang, Y., & Wang, W.-C. (2017). Techno-economic and resource analysis of hydroprocessed renewable jet fuel. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 10(1), Article 261. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-017-0945-3
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2021). Country analysis executive summary: Indonesia. U.S. Department of Energy
Vilas Bôas, R., de Almeida, L. A. de A., & Mendes, M. F. (2022). Techno-economic evaluation of biodiesel production using by-product as raw material and hydrotalcite-hydroxyapatite as catalyst. Research, Society and Development, 11(4), e0511426977. https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i4.26977
Wang, W.-C., Liu, Y.-C., & Nugroho, R. A. A. (2022). Techno-economic analysis of renewable jet fuel production: The comparison between Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and pyrolysis. Energy, 239, Article 121970. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2021.121970
Wang, W.-C., & Tao, L. (2016). Bio-jet fuel conversion technologies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 53, 801–822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.09.016
Wibowo, A. A., Mustain, A., Lusiani, C. E., Hartanto, D., & Ginting, R. R. (2020). Green diesel production from waste vegetable oil: A simulation study. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2223, Article 020008. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0000925
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sayekti Kurniati
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
