Comparison of second-generation processes for the conversion of sugarcane bagasse to liquid biofuels in terms of energy efficiency, pinch point analysis and Life Cycle Analysis

Petersen, Abdul M.; Melamu, Rethabi; Knoetze, J.H.; Görgens, Johann F.

doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2014.12.002

Cited by 68 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Scenario 2 exhibited a significantly higher yield compared to Scenario 1 (493 kg of LA per tonne of DM vs. 260 kg of EtOH per tonne of DM). This result could be ascribed to conversion of all sugars (glucose and xylose) to LA with 95% of the maximum theoretical conversion, whereas in Scenario 1 the glucose and xylose are respectively converted to EtOH at 90.5% and 76.6% of the theoretical maximum . Furthermore, LA is produced via the bacterial homofermentative pathway with the production of a single fermentation product, with theoretical maximum yield of 1:1 which is higher than that of EtOH (0.51:1) due to CO 2 co‐production.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi‐criteria analysis of a biorefinery for co‐production of lactic acid and ethanol from sugarcane lignocellulose

Mandegari

Farzad

Rensburg

2017

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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Biorefineries are regarded as a key enabler to facilitate the transition toward a sustainable and low carbon bioeconomy. In this study, alternative lignocellulose biorefineries annexed to a typical sugar mill were investigated to co‐produce ethanol (EtOH), lactic acid (LA), and/or electricity, utilizing bagasse and a component of harvesting residues (brown leaves) as feedstock. Studied scenarios included EtOH as the sole product from glucose and xylose (Scenario 1), LA as the sole product from these two sugars (Scenario 2), EtOH from glucose and LA from xylose (Scenario 3), and EtOH from xylose and LA from glucose (Scenario 4), all of which were associated with some level of export electricity production. Aspen Plus® simulations of the scenarios were developed considering all supplementary units, such as evaporation, water treatment, boiler, and steam/power generation in addition to the process units required for the main product streams. Economic evaluation, energy assessment, and environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) were carried out on the developed simulations, in a multi‐criteria analysis of the desirability of each scenario. To service the combined energy demands of a sugar mill and annexed biorefinery, a 35 to 40% bypass of lignocellulose directly to the boiler section was required to achieve integrated scenarios that were energy self‐sufficient, i.e., not dependent on external (fossil) energy sources. Scenario 2 was economically most attractive with the highest internal rate of return (IRR) of 31.1%, whereas Scenario 1 had the lowest IRR of 10.0%. Scenarios 2 and 4 were economically the most robust, with the least sensitivity to variations in the key economic drivers, i.e., EtOH, LA and enzymes. The LCA suggested that LA producing scenarios introduced environmental burdens that were marginally higher than Scenario 1, due to higher consumption of processing chemicals. Overall, Scenario 4 was found to be the most desirable biorefinery scenario, by balancing financial and environmental considerations. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi‐criteria analysis of a biorefinery for co‐production of lactic acid and ethanol from sugarcane lignocellulose

Mandegari

Farzad

Rensburg

2017

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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“…The technically challenging methods for producing biofuels from lower‐value lignocellulose materials, such as agricultural residues, are classified as second‐generation techniques . Substantial amounts of electricity can be generated together with first‐ and second‐generation biofuel production methods, to improve the economic viability of the process, and further reduce the effects of global warming by substituting electricity that would otherwise have been produced from fossil fuels . The sugarcane crop has been identified as one of the primary sources for ethanol production in sub‐Saharan Africa, as it provides feedstock for both first‐ and second‐generation ethanol and electricity co‐producion …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic analysis of bioethanol and electricity production from sugarcane in South Africa

Petersen

Westhuizen

Mandegari

et al. 2017

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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An economic analysis for ethanol and electricity production in the sugarcane crushing industry in South Africa through first‐ and second‐generation technologies, and integration strategies was carried out. The analysis included capital allowances to upgrade the energy efficiencies of existing sugar mills, to allow co‐production of electricity, production of second‐generation ethanol from hemicellulose, and export of lignocellulose residues from these facilities. Methodologies included mass and energy balances in Aspen Plus® and economic models in MS Excel to determine the required selling prices for electricity, sugarcane residues and ethanol, for these investments. The required selling price for electricity for the sugarcane crushing industry was US$ 97/MWhr, while that of bagasse residues was US$ 90/ton. A first‐generation ethanol plant with electricity co‐generation from bagasse has an ethanol selling price of US$ 0.84/l, which was highly dependent of the cane price, and reduced significantly when second‐generation production from hemicelluloses of bagasse and trash was incorporated. The selling price of US$ 0.38/l for integrated second‐generation ethanol at a sugar mill was the lowest, but however, was highly dependent on technological efficiency. Standalone second‐generation ethanol was unfeasible due to the costs of the infrastructure needed to provide bagasse as a feedstock. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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“…For this reason, a policy support for biofuels is justified [15]. Changes in the legal framework had direct impacts on their development [16].…”

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confidence: 99%

Biomethane: A Renewable Resource as Vehicle Fuel

2017

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Abstract:The European Union (EU) has set a mandatory target for renewable fuels of 10% for each member state by 2020. Biomethane is a renewable energy representing an alternative to the use of fossil fuels in the transport sector. This resource is a solution to reach this target. Furthermore, it contributes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, gives social benefits and increases the security supply. Sustainability is reached also when the economic opportunities are verified. This work studies the profitability of small plants of biomethane, which is sold as vehicle fuel using the Net Present Value (NPV) and Discounted Payback Time (DPBT). The paper shows in detail the method used for the economic assessment of two typologies of feedstock recovered: (i) municipal solid waste and (ii) agricultural waste. Detailed information about the various parameters that affect the profitability of biomethane is given, and several case studies are analyzed as a function of two variables: subsidies and selling price. The results support the commercialization of small-scale plants, reducing also several environmental issues. The role of subsidies is strategic, and the profitability is verified only in some case studies.

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Comparison of second-generation processes for the conversion of sugarcane bagasse to liquid biofuels in terms of energy efficiency, pinch point analysis and Life Cycle Analysis

Cited by 68 publications

References 45 publications

Multi‐criteria analysis of a biorefinery for co‐production of lactic acid and ethanol from sugarcane lignocellulose

Multi‐criteria analysis of a biorefinery for co‐production of lactic acid and ethanol from sugarcane lignocellulose

Economic analysis of bioethanol and electricity production from sugarcane in South Africa

Biomethane: A Renewable Resource as Vehicle Fuel

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