Hydrous bioethanol production from sugarcane bagasse via energy self-sufficient gasification-fermentation hybrid route

Simulation and financial analysis

Journal article (2017)

Authors

Elisa M. de Medeiros University of Campinas
J.A. Posada Duque BT/Biotechnology and Society - AS
H.J. Noorman DSM, BT/Bioprocess Engineering - AS
P. Osseweijer BT/Biotechnology and Society - AS
Rubens Maciel Filho University of Campinas
Research Group
BT/Biotechnology and Society (AS) (TU Delft)
Biomass gasification Process simulation Syngas fermentation Financial analysis Aspen plus Second generation bioethanol
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Published Date

2017

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

BT/Biotechnologie

Research Group

BT/Biotechnology and Society

Abstract

Production of second generation ethanol can be accomplished with biomass gasification followed by syngas fermentation using acetogenic bacteria in a hybrid process. Using process simulation and financial analysis, this study evaluated the feasibility of producing hydrous ethanol from sugarcane bagasse in a conceptual hybrid plant designed to be energetically self-sufficient. The process was found to be competitive with other second generation routes, achieving an ethanol yield of 330 L per metric ton of dry biomass and an overall carbon conversion of 30%. The minimum ethanol selling price to achieve Net Present Value break-even with 10% Internal Rate of Return was estimated to be 706 US$/m3 after taxes in the base model. When accounting for uncertainties in the fixed capital investment and the cost of raw materials, the Net Present Value was found to be non-negative in 80% of the cases for a selling price of 783 US$/m3.