Comparative analysis of key technologies for cellulosic ethanol production from Brazilian sugarcane bagasse at a commercial scale

Abstract

Biorefineries can upgrade waste lignocellulosic biomass (LB) into soluble (C5 and C6) sugars that can be fermented into second‐generation (2G) ethanol‐based biofuels and a range of valuable byproducts derived from lignin. Research advances made in various laboratories worldwide have not been easy to translate into large‐scale operations. Here, we performed a simple economic analysis of cellulosic ethanol production from a stand‐alone 100ton dry sugarcane bagasse per day process, from a Brazilian market perspective, based on current state‐of‐the‐art biorefinery process technologies. Economic analysis reveals that the cost of manufacturing (COM) of 2G ethanol in an annexed Brazilian facility is close to USD 1.33 L−1. Fixed and variable costs contributed 57% and 24% in COM of 2G ethanol with a high payback period of ~31 years and a negative net present value (NPV). Further cost reduction can be realized by continuous R&D efforts aiming for innovation in new processing paradigms for cellulosic biorefineries. The key market players (Poet‐DSM, DuPont, Abengoa, Beta Renewables, Raizen, Granbio, Praj, etc.) and other new emerging players (Global Yeast, Taurus Energy, Leaf, Mascoma‐Lallemand) working on ethanologen development, and cellulase producers (Novozyme, Metgen), should also develop partnerships / joint ventures to establish a sustainable business model to develop cost‐competitive 2G ethanol production from bagasse in Brazil. This paper presents additional commentary and analysis with pertinent information about the commercialization of integrated 2G ethanol biorefineries processing sugarcane bagasse, from a Brazilian perspective. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Commercial Washing Detergents-Assisted Alkaline Pretreatment for Lignocellulosic Sugars Production: A First Report

“…Alkaline pretreatment disrupts the hydrogen-bonding network in cellulose and hemicellulose polymers in biomass altering crystallinity, increasing porosity and thus allowing solvent and enzymes to access to the surface and intramolecular areas of biomass (Cantero et al 2019). Alkaline pretreatment method has emerged as one of the most viable process options due to its selective action on ester linkage breakdown in lignin, fast reaction rates and process simplicity (Kim et al 2016;Chandel et al 2019). Alkaline pretreatment selectively removes lignin without degrading many carbohydrates and increases porosity and surface area, thereby enhancing enzymatic hydrolysis (Kim et al 2016).…”

“…However, the major disadvantage of the alkaline process is the solubilization of considerable amount of lignin which needs to be recovered from the liquor for the energy generation in boilers or subsequent transformation into chemicals (Chandel et al 2019). Pretreated biomass after enzymatic hydrolysis is then practically insoluble lignin cake accessible for further valorization into fuels and chemicals.…”

Changes in the bacterial community and overall metabolic profile in a first-generation ethanol distillery under distinct fermentative yield

“…A new biofuel policy was launched by the Brazilian government in December 2017, aiming to promote and develop technologies to produce ethanol from sugarcane bagasse and other cellulosic feedstocks, known as secondgeneration ethanol (E2G) (CHANDEL et al, 2019). The production of energy through cellulosic biomass would reduce the need for more agricultural lands for crop expansion, decreasing environmental impacts, and considerably increasing the supply of ethanol (BUCKERIDGE et al, 2012).…”

“…The production of energy through cellulosic biomass would reduce the need for more agricultural lands for crop expansion, decreasing environmental impacts, and considerably increasing the supply of ethanol (BUCKERIDGE et al, 2012). Although important progress has been made, the E2G production is not economically competitive yet (CHANDEL et al, 2019). In addition to the development of new technologies, an improvement in ethanol productivity can be achieved through the optimization of current processes (DOS SANTOS E SILVA; BOMTEMPO; ALVES, 2019).…”

Identificação e quantificação da expressão dos genes envolvidos no transporte de xilose na levedura >i<Candida guilliermondii>/i< FTI 20037

“…Com o objetivo de produzir biocombustíveis aliado à geração de novos produtos de interesse comercial (energia, insumos químicos, biocombustíveis, materiais e produtos químicos) a partir da biomassa lignocelulósica, a biorrefinaria surge como um conceito emergente, que engloba a conversão de biomassas para obtenção de energia e de um amplo espectro de produtos de valor agregado (RAGAUSKAS et al, 2006;MENON;RAO, 2012;BOTERO et al, 2017;DONG et al, 2019). Este sistema se aplica à cana-de-açúcar em associação a estratégias de uso sustentável, que tem como objetivo a busca pelo aproveitamento destas biomassas em sua totalidade (DIAS et al, 2012;CHANDEL et al, 2019). Sendo assim, uma grande sinergia entre a biorrefinaria e a química verde no que diz respeito à minimização de resíduos e de impactos ambientais ganharam destaque no âmbito industrial (VAZ JÚNIOR, 2011).…”