Cellulosic ethanol: status and innovation

Lynd, Lee R.; Liang, Xiaoyu; Biddy, Mary J.; Allee, Andrew; Cai, Hao; Foust, Thomas; Himmel, Michael E.; Laser, Mark S.; Wang, Michael; Wyman, Charles E.

doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2017.03.008

Cellulosic ethanol: status and innovation

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 2017 · Current Opinion in Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2017.03.008· OSTI ID:1393924

Lynd, Lee R.; Liang, Xiaoyu; Biddy, Mary J.; Allee, Andrew; Cai, Hao; Foust, Thomas; Himmel, Michael E.; Laser, Mark S.; Wang, Michael; Wyman, Charles E.

Although the purchase price of cellulosic feedstocks is competitive with petroleum on an energy basis, the cost of lignocellulose conversion to ethanol using today’s technology is high. Cost reductions can be pursued via either in-paradigm or new-paradigm innovation. As an example of new-paradigm innovation, consolidated bioprocessing using thermophilic bacteria combined with milling during fermentation (cotreatment) is analyzed. Acknowledging the nascent state of this approach, our analysis indicates potential for radically improved cost competitiveness and feasibility at smaller scale compared to current technology, arising from (a) R&D-driven advances (consolidated bioprocessing with cotreatment in lieu of thermochemical pretreatment and added fungal cellulase), and (b) configurational changes (fuel pellet coproduction instead of electricity, gas boiler(s) in lieu of a solid fuel boiler).

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) - Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO); USDOE Office of Science - Office of Biological and Environmental Research

DOE Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1393924

Journal Information:: Current Opinion in Biotechnology, Journal Name: Current Opinion in Biotechnology Journal Issue: C Vol. 45; ISSN 0958-1669

Publisher:: Elsevier

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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