Techno-economic assessment of Bioethanol production from major lignocellulosic residues under different process configurations

Abstract

Technological and economical potentials of integrated biomass-to-ethanol conversion process is investigated using process flowsheeting simulation for an estimation of the minimal ethanol selling price (MESP). Implementing optimal process configuration with yeast consortium for efficient C5/C6 co-fermentation, fed-batch high-solid operation for high-ethanol-titer, on-site enzymes together with enzyme synergism for low enzyme demand and efficient saccharification could potentially lower the MESP of integrated cellulosic ethanol production process to meet economic feasibility for industrialization. Techno-economic study provides an economically viable prototype for high-ethanol-titer process via fed-batch SSF using yeast consortium and on-site enzymes production which offer better economic value for the successful commercialization of lignocellulosic ethanol production process. Such process platform is an important strategy for the development of low-cost biorefinery industry that can outperform the current starch- or sugar-based process for the production of biofuels.