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The farm to biorefinery continuum: A techno-economic and LCA analysis of ethanol production from sweet sorghum juice

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  • Caffrey, Kevin R.
  • Veal, Matthew W.
  • Chinn, Mari S.

Abstract

This paper describes the economic, environmental, and energy issues of the farm to biorefinery continuum related to production of ethanol from soluble sugars recovered from sweet sorghum using the BE3 (bioenergy economics, energy, and environmental) model methodology. A comparative analysis of five process configurations was conducted to determine how process decentralization affects the total production system. An increased integration of on-farm processing resulted in a moderate increase in the breakeven sales price of ethanol ($0.08/L), however the substantial increase in value-added agricultural practices (approximately 180%) can offer greater returns to the farm operation. Benefits outside the scope of this analysis related to decentralized processing include: increased rural development, reductions in transportation requirements, additional income to farmers, and dissipation of some environmental impacts. Using a single parameter sensitivity analysis for those process configurations the greatest economic impacts were found to be related to conversion efficiency, crop yield, and press efficiency. Conservative values were used throughout the process modeling procedure (e.g. crop yield, Brix level of juice, conversion efficiency, and by-product usage), yet with system optimization, breakeven sales price could be significantly decreased.

Suggested Citation

  • Caffrey, Kevin R. & Veal, Matthew W. & Chinn, Mari S., 2014. "The farm to biorefinery continuum: A techno-economic and LCA analysis of ethanol production from sweet sorghum juice," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 55-66.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:130:y:2014:i:c:p:55-66
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2014.05.016
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shapouri, Hosein & Duffield, James A. & Wang, Michael Q., 2002. "The Energy Balance of Corn Ethanol: An Update," Agricultural Economic Reports 34075, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    2. Ballou, Ronald H. & Rahardja, Handoko & Sakai, Noriaki, 2002. "Selected country circuity factors for road travel distance estimation," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 36(9), pages 843-848, November.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Appiah-Nkansah, Nana Baah & Li, Jun & Rooney, William & Wang, Donghai, 2019. "A review of sweet sorghum as a viable renewable bioenergy crop and its techno-economic analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 1121-1132.
    3. Chong, Ting Yen & Cheah, Siang Aun & Ong, Chin Tye & Wong, Lee Yi & Goh, Chern Rui & Tan, Inn Shi & Foo, Henry Chee Yew & Lam, Man Kee & Lim, Steven, 2020. "Techno-economic evaluation of third-generation bioethanol production utilizing the macroalgae waste: A case study in Malaysia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    4. Gao, Cheng-kang & Na, Hong-ming & Song, Kai-hui & Dyer, Noel & Tian, Fan & Xu, Qing-jiang & Xing, Yu-hong, 2019. "Environmental impact analysis of power generation from biomass and wind farms in different locations," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 307-317.

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