Production of ethanol from agricultural waste: an economic evaluation. [Food processing wastes]
This report focuses on food processing wastes as a fermentation feedstock for ethanol production. These wastes are more promising for this purpose than other agricultural residues because the collection costs have already been paid, acceptable concentrations of fermentable sugars are often present, they have no current economic value, and their use would yield a waste disposal credit. Investment rates of return of 10 to 12% would normally be acceptable in industry, but the uncertainties surrounding the assumptions made in this study, including feedstock availability and composition, process details, and a stable market for single cell protein and ethanol, make this yield level unlikely to attract investment funds. Government incentives which might change this outlook could include: (1) low interest loans; (2) tax credits; (3) alternate fuel subsidies; (4) legislation against present waste disposal methods. Additional improvements in profitability might be affected by further use of the fermentation residues, e.g., by direct combustion or anaerobic digestion, resulting in total utilization of the waste material. In any case, future development of this potential energy resouce must be based on a more complete characterization of the waste materials, including supply, composition, process variables, and market conditions, and it is recommended that such a program be initiated.
- OSTI ID:
- 5818098
- Report Number(s):
- NP-24156
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
BIOCONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ETHANOL
BIOSYNTHESIS
FOOD PROCESSING
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
FUEL GAS
RECOMMENDATIONS
SOLID WASTES
ALCOHOLS
ECONOMICS
FLUIDS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
WASTES
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530200 - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Assessment of Energy Technologies- (-1989)
299003 - Energy Planning & Policy- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation- Other- (-1989)
290200 - Energy Planning & Policy- Economics & Sociology