Improving economics of lignocellulosic biofuels: An integrated strategy for coproducing 1, 5-pentanediol and ethanol. (1st March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Kefeng; Won, Wangyun; Barnett, Kevin J.; Brentzel, Zachary J.; Alonso, David M.; Huber, George W.; Dumesic, James A.; Maravelias, Christos T.
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 213(2018)
• Page Start: 585
• Page End: 594
• Publication Date: 2018-03-01
• Subjects: Biorefinery -- Bioethanol -- Process design -- Integration -- Technoeconomic analysis; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: An integrated strategy for coproducing 1, 5-pentanediol and bioethanol is proposed. An experimentally based model is developed to determine economic potential. Sensitivity analysis identifies the most important process and economic parameters. 1, 5-pentanediol coproduct plays a paramount role in improving economics. The coproduction strategy leads to a promising biorefinery strategy. Abstract: A biorefinery strategy for the coproduction of ethanol and 1, 5-pentanediol (1, 5-PDO), which can be used as polyester and polyurethane component, from lignocellulosic biomass is proposed. This strategy integrates biomass fractionation with simultaneous conversion of hemicellulose and cellulose constituents into 1, 5-PDO and ethanol, respectively. An experimentally-based process model is developed to determine the economic potential of the integrated strategy. The coproduction strategy becomes competitive with the ethanol-only strategy when 1, 5-PDO can be sold at $1140/ton, which is well below the market price of 1, 5-PDO. The most important process parameters include biomass loading for biomass fractionation, enzyme loading for enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, and overall achievable yields from C5 sugars to 1, 5-PDO.