Techno-economic evaluation of a biorefinery applying food waste for sophorolipid production – A case study for Hong Kong. (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Huaimin; Tsang, Chi-Wing; To, Ming Ho; Kaur, Guneet; Roelants, Sophie L.K.W.; Stevens, Christian V.; Soetaert, Wim; Lin, Carol Sze Ki
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 303(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Food waste -- Sensitivity analysis -- Sophorolipid -- Starmerella bombicola -- Techno-economic assessment; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122852
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Techno-economic study of sophorolipid production using SuperPro Designer®. Combined strategy of fed-batch fermentation and in-situ separation was developed. Production of sophorolipid crystals or syrup as end product was economically feasible. The NPV and IRR were US$183, 598, 000 and 36.17%, respectively. Purchase of equipments from Mainland China reduced payback period by 1.65 years. Abstract: This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of sophorolipid (SL) production process that co-utilizes food waste, glucose and oleic acid as substrates. Two variables are considered in terms of (a) Plant construction: Purchasing equipment either from the US or Mainland China and (b) Production: to produce SL crystals (about 97% active) or a concentrated SL liquid/syrup (about 78% active). Hence, four scenarios are generated: Scenario I: equipment made in the USA + SL crystals; Scenario II: equipment made in the USA + SL syrup; Scenario III: equipment made in China + SL crystals; Scenario IV: equipment made in China + SL syrup. It is found that all scenarios are economically feasible and Scenario I has the highest net profit. Scenario III has the highest internal rate of return, net present value and the shortest payback period at a 7% discount rate. Finally, comparison of food waste-related techno-economic studies was conducted.