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Techno-Economic Analysis of Bioethanol Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass in China: Dilute-Acid Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Corn Stover

Author

Listed:
  • Lili Zhao

    (Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Xiliang Zhang

    (Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Jie Xu

    (Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, Guangdong, China)

  • Xunmin Ou

    (Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Shiyan Chang

    (Laboratory of Low Carbon Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Maorong Wu

    (Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass-based ethanol is categorized as 2 nd generation bioethanol in the advanced biofuel portfolio. To make sound incentive policy proposals for the Chinese government and to develop guidance for research and development and industrialization of the technology, the paper reports careful techno-economic and sensitivity analyses performed to estimate the current competitiveness of the bioethanol and identify key components which have the greatest impact on its plant-gate price (PGP). Two models were developed for the research, including the Bioethanol PGP Assessment Model (BPAM) and the Feedstock Cost Estimation Model (FCEM). Results show that the PGP of the bioethanol ranges $4.68–$6.05/gal (9,550–12,356 yuan/t). The key components that contribute most to bioethanol PGP include the conversion rate of cellulose to glucose, the ratio of five-carbon sugars converted to ethanol, feedstock cost, and enzyme loading, etc . Lignocellulosic ethanol is currently unable to compete with fossil gasoline, therefore incentive policies are necessary to promote its development. It is suggested that the consumption tax be exempted, the value added tax (VAT) be refunded upon collection, and feed-in tariff for excess electricity (byproduct) be implemented to facilitate the industrialization of the technology. A minimum direct subsidy of $1.20/gal EtOH (2,500 yuan/t EtOH) is also proposed for consideration.

Suggested Citation

  • Lili Zhao & Xiliang Zhang & Jie Xu & Xunmin Ou & Shiyan Chang & Maorong Wu, 2015. "Techno-Economic Analysis of Bioethanol Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass in China: Dilute-Acid Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Corn Stover," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-22, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:8:y:2015:i:5:p:4096-4117:d:49333
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    5. Sylvia Haus & Lovisa Björnsson & Pål Börjesson, 2020. "Lignocellulosic Ethanol in a Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Obligation System—A Case Study of Swedish Sawdust Based-Ethanol Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, February.
    6. Shizhong Song & Pei Liu & Jing Xu & Linwei Ma & Chinhao Chong & Min He & Xianzheng Huang & Zheng Li & Weidou Ni, 2016. "An Economic and Policy Analysis of a District Heating System Using Corn Straw Densified Fuel: A Case Study in Nong’an County in Jilin Province, China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-22, December.
    7. Song, Shizhong & Liu, Pei & Xu, Jing & Chong, Chinhao & Huang, Xianzheng & Ma, Linwei & Li, Zheng & Ni, Weidou, 2017. "Life cycle assessment and economic evaluation of pellet fuel from corn straw in China: A case study in Jilin Province," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 373-381.
    8. Poveda-Giraldo, Jhonny Alejandro & Solarte-Toro, Juan Camilo & Cardona Alzate, Carlos Ariel, 2021. "The potential use of lignin as a platform product in biorefineries: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    9. Zhao, Lili & Ou, Xunmin & Chang, Shiyan, 2016. "Life-cycle greenhouse gas emission and energy use of bioethanol produced from corn stover in China: Current perspectives and future prospectives," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 303-313.
    10. Cruce, Jesse R. & Quinn, Jason C., 2019. "Economic viability of multiple algal biorefining pathways and the impact of public policies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 735-746.
    11. Anu, & Kumar, Anil & Rapoport, Alexander & Kunze, Gotthard & Kumar, Sanjeev & Singh, Davender & Singh, Bijender, 2020. "Multifarious pretreatment strategies for the lignocellulosic substrates for the generation of renewable and sustainable biofuels: A review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 1228-1252.
    12. Jenkins, Timothy L. & Jin, Enze & Sutherland, John W., 2020. "Effect of harvest region shape, biomass yield, and plant location on optimal biofuel facility size," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    13. Tamara Llano & Natalia Quijorna & Alberto Coz, 2017. "Detoxification of a Lignocellulosic Waste from a Pulp Mill to Enhance Its Fermentation Prospects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    14. Ong, Victor Zhenquan & Wu, Ta Yeong, 2020. "An application of ultrasonication in lignocellulosic biomass valorisation into bio-energy and bio-based products," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    15. Rui Wang & Yanyou Wu & Deke Xing & Hongtao Hang & Xiaolin Xie & Xiuqun Yang & Kaiyan Zhang & Sen Rao, 2017. "Biomass Production of Three Biofuel Energy Plants’ Use of a New Carbon Resource by Carbonic Anhydrase in Simulated Karst Soils: Mechanism and Capacity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, September.
    16. Puengprasert, Punika & Chalobol, Tanida & Sinbuathong, Nusara & Srinophakhun, Penjit & Thanapimmetha, Anusith & Liu, Chen-Guang & Zhao, Xin-Qing & Sakdaronnarong, Chularat, 2020. "A combined cellulosic and starchy ethanol and biomethane production with stillage recycle and respective cost analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 444-455.
    17. Hossain, Nazia & Zaini, Juliana & Indra Mahlia, Teuku Meurah, 2019. "Life cycle assessment, energy balance and sensitivity analysis of bioethanol production from microalgae in a tropical country," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    18. Zhao, Xuebing & Liu, Dehua, 2019. "Multi-products co-production improves the economic feasibility of cellulosic ethanol: A case of Formiline pretreatment-based biorefining," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 229-244.
    19. Manoj Kandasamy & Ihsan Hamawand & Leslie Bowtell & Saman Seneweera & Sayan Chakrabarty & Talal Yusaf & Zaidoon Shakoor & Sattar Algayyim & Friederike Eberhard, 2017. "Investigation of Ethanol Production Potential from Lignocellulosic Material without Enzymatic Hydrolysis Using the Ultrasound Technique," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, January.

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