Simulation and comparison of processes for biobutanol production from lignocellulose via ABE fermentation

Abstract

Six conceptual process scenarios for the production of biobutanol from lignocellulosic biomass through acetone‐butanol‐ethanol (ABE) fermentation, using reported data on process performances, were developed with ASPEN Plus® V8.2 software. The six scenarios covered three fermentation strategies, i.e. batch separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF), continuous SHF, and batch simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) integrated with gas stripping (GS). The two downstream processing options considered were double‐effect distillation (DD) and liquid‐liquid extraction and distillation (LLE&D). It was found that the SSF‐GS/DD scenario was the most energy efficient with a liquid fuel efficiency of 24% and an overall efficiency of 31%. This was also the scenario with the best economic outcome, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 15% and net present value (NPV) of US$387 million. The SSF‐GS/DD scenario was compared to a similar molasses process, based on the product flow rates, and it was found that the molasses process was more energy efficient with a gross energy value (GEV) of 23 MJ kg1 butanol compared to −117 MJ kg1 butanol for the lignocellulosic process. In addition, the molasses‐based process was more profitable with an IRR of 36% compared to 21%. However, the energy requirements for the molasses process were supplied from fossil fuels, whereas for the lignocellulose processes a portion of the feedstock was diverted to provide process energy. Improved environmental performance is therefore associated with the lignocellulosic process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) of Different Pretreatment and Product Separation Technologies for Cellulosic Butanol Production from Oil Palm Frond

“…Sensitivity analysis was also conducted on the profit of the simulated plant. The biobutanol selling price of $1.73/kg was applied [47].…”

“…Wastewater treatment cost, which might also include the neutralization process, was assumed to be $0.53/m 3 [49]. By-product credit of $1.04/L ethanol price and $1.28/kg acetone price, and butanol price of $1.73/kg were applied [47]. Table 3 summarizes other assumptions used in the study.…”

A Feasibility Study of Cellulosic Isobutanol Production—Process Simulation and Economic Analysis

“…On the other hand, isobutanol can be produced by engineered E. Coli and S. Cerevisiae strains [10]. The technical challenges that must be overcome in order to render the production of biobutanol economically competitive have been extensively reviewed in the literature [11][12][13] Research initiatives are focused on two main objectives: the reduction of the cost of raw materials by the utilization of alternative feedstocks and the improvement of the fermentation yield, titer and productivity by genetic engineering and application of new process technologies.…”

A new concept for total components conversion of lignocellulosic biomass: a promising direction for clean and sustainable production in its bio‐refinery

“…Firstly, butanol has superior fuel properties (high heating value, low volatility, easy for blending, high viscosity, etc.) when compared with ethanol . Secondly, most microorganisms used for ABE production such as Clostridium acetobutylicum and Clostridium beijerinckii can utilize both hexose and pentose efficiently for fermentation, thus it can overcome the deficiency of traditional bio‐ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae , which usually cannot use pentose as carbon source.…”