Title: Techno‐economic feasibility analysis of engineered energycane‐based biorefinery co‐producing biodiesel and ethanol

Abstract

Abstract High feedstock cost and low oil yields per unit of land from temperate oilseed crops limit the growth of commercial‐scale biodiesel production. Recently, highly productive crops, such as sugarcane and energycane, have been engineered to accumulate triacylglycerides (TAGs) that allow the production of far more industrial vegetable oil than previously possible. A proof‐of‐concept suggests that biodiesel production from engineered energycane will be possible. However, before making efforts for scale‐up, it is critical to understand the commercial feasibility and economic competitiveness of this process. This study performs techno‐economic analysis of a unique biorefinery processing energycane to co‐produce biodiesel and ethanol. Comprehensive process simulation models were developed for two scenarios: (i) biodiesel from TAGs and ethanol from fermentation of sugars in juice and (ii) biodiesel from TAGs and ethanol from fermentation of sugars in juice and hydrolysis of carbohydrates in bagasse. Based on the target levels, the analysis was performed for energycane containing 0%, 5%, and 7.7% TAGs (d.b.). The biodiesel from engineered energycane was found economically viable and competitive to soybean biodiesel. Although the capital investment is higher compared to the soybean biodiesel plant, the biodiesel production costs ($0.66–$0.9/L) were lower than soybean biodiesel ($0.91/L). Biorefinery‐scenario‐1 processing energycane containing 7.7%more » TAG produces biodiesel with profitability (IRR 7.84) slightly lower than soybean biodiesel (IRR 8.3), but yields five times of biodiesel per unit land and is self‐sustainable for energy requirements. The surplus electricity can displace fossil electricity and provide environmental benefits. Monte Carlo simulation indicated that biorefinery is profitable with a 29%–65% probability (NPV > 0) which is largely controlled by feedstock composition and biodiesel market price. It is important to note that energycane can be grown on the marginal rainfed lands in S.E. USA, where soybean would not be viable. Biodiesel from engineered energycane would therefore be complementary to soydiesel in the United States.« less

Authors:

Kumar, Deepak  ^[1];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Kumar, Deepak"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-1366-3308"

Long, Stephen P.  ^[2];

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Long, Stephen P."
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0002-8501-7164"

Arora, Amit ^[3]; Singh, Vijay  ^[4]

• Search DOE PAGES for author "Singh, Vijay"
• Search DOE PAGES for ORCID "0000-0003-4349-8681"

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Department of Chemical Engineering SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse NY USA, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
2. Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA, Department of Plant Biology and Crop Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA
3. Bio‐Processing Laboratory Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mumbai India
4. Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Urbana IL USA

Publication Date:

Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2021

Research Org.:

Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

OSTI Identifier:

1805045

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1805047; OSTI ID: 1808590

Grant/Contract Number:  

DE‐SC‐0018254; SC0018254

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Global Change Biology. Bioenergy

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Global Change Biology. Bioenergy Journal Volume: 13 Journal Issue: 9; Journal ID: ISSN 1757-1693

Publisher:

Wiley-Blackwell

Country of Publication:

United Kingdom

Language:

English

Subject:

09 BIOMASS FUELS; biodiesel; bioethanol; energycane; TAG; techno-economic; transgenic