Paper details

Title:

Sustainability Assessment of Lignocellulosic Bio-Ethanol Value Chain: Carbon Footprint and Cost Analysis

Author(s):

Wang, Y., Ee, A.W.L., Khoo, H.H.

Document(s):

Abstract:

New production chains of biomass­to­bioethanol require the successful deployment of efficient and cost­effective bio­technologies. This work offers a multi­objective analysis of sustainability issues involved in setting up a biorefinery. Two case studies are investigated: corn stover­to­EtOH from U.S. and sugarcane bagasse­to­EtOH from Brazil. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was applied to take into account different scenarios of each case. The following factors are studied: land use for agriculture; CO2 intake and emissions; yield of crop; crop­to­lignocellulose biomass ratio; transportation, conversion, as well as, the costs associated with the entire production chain. The biorefinery employed the use of SSF (Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation) with estimated maximum yields of 305 L/tonne stover and 100 L/tonne wet bagasse. The capital costs for each hypothetical case were projected. As part of a sustainability parameter, a land footprint indicator was estimated from the yield of corn and sugarcane, along with lignocelullose amounts and percentage conversion to bio­ethanol.

Keywords:

bio-ethanol, economic aspects, LCA, sustainability

Topic:

Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability

Subtopic:

Sustainability assessment and criteria

Event:

22nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

4BO.15.2

Pages:

1386 - 1391

ISBN:

978-88-89407-52-3

Paper DOI:

10.5071/22ndEUBCE2014-4BO.15.2

Price:

FREE