High-temperature acid hydrolysis of cellulose for alcohol fuel production
Parametric analyses of high-temperature, dilute-acid hydrolysis of cellulose were carried out to determine the effect of hydrolysis parameters and processing schemes on the selling price of ethanol, and to estimate the potential economics of such processes. Analyses were conducted using a simulation model that calculates mass and energy balances, estimates the capital cost of the plant, and determines the selling price of ethanol. All plants were designed to produce 50 million gallons per year from either a corn stover or aspen wood feedstock. The feedstock was subjected to prehydrolysis and hydrolysis to convert the cellulosic components to sugars. The sugars stream was neutralized and fermented, and the ethanol was purified by distillation. Approximately half of the selling price of ethanol is due to capital-related charges and half to operating costs (primarily feedstock costs). The solids content of the processing streams is the most important processing parameter. Xylose fermentation has the potential to further reduce the cost of ethanol by 30%. Sales of furfural and lignin by-products could significantly reduce the selling price of ethanol if markets are available. The price of ethanol was not greatly affected by prehydrolysis, unreacted solids recycle, or small changes in hydrolysis conditions. The predicted selling price of $1.50/gallon, while subject to an uncertainty of approximately +- 30%, is of the same magnitude as that for ethanol produced from corn or petrochemical feedstocks.
- Research Organization:
- Solar Energy Research Inst. (SERI), Golden, CO (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-77CH00178
- OSTI ID:
- 5878870
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/TR-231-1714; ON: DE83009109
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
CELLULOSE
ACID HYDROLYSIS
HEAT TREATMENTS
ETHANOL FUELS
NET ENERGY
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
BY-PRODUCTS
CAPITALIZED COST
ETHANOL
ETHANOL PLANTS
FERMENTATION
FURFURAL
HIGH TEMPERATURE
LIGNIN
MAIZE
PRICES
PRODUCTION
WOOD
ALCOHOL FUELS
ALCOHOLS
ALDEHYDES
BIOCONVERSION
CARBOHYDRATES
CEREALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COST
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY
ENERGY ANALYSIS
FUELS
FURANS
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROLYSIS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LYSIS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SOLVOLYSIS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
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140504 - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)
530200 - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Assessment of Energy Technologies- (-1989)