Techno-economic analysis of butanol production from lignocellulosic biomass by concentrated acid pretreatment and hydrolysis plus continuous fermentation

초록

A techno-economic analysis was conducted to validate the commercial viability of commercial-scale lignocellulosic bio-butanol production by pretreatment and hydrolysis using concentrated sulfuric acid, and a continuous fermentation. The process was simulated using Aspen Plus (R), and the data was based on the results of laboratory and pilot plant operation, and demonstration plant design. The production cost and minimum butanol selling price (MBSP) for a base case of 40,000 t/y plant capacity and 60 $/tbonedrybasedfeedstockpricearedetermined.Inaddition,sensitivityanalysisonminimumbutanolsellingprice(MBSP)isconductedbychangingsingleparameterofdiscountcashflowrateofreturn(DCFROR)andbychangingmultipleparametersconjointfeedstockprice(from10to60$/t in increments of 10 $/t),plantcapacity(from40,000to80,000$/t in increments of 20,000 t/y), and equity rate (from 20 to 100% in increments of 20%). The MBSP was determined to be 2668 $/tatthebasecase,and2139$/t when capacity is doubled (from 40,000 t/y to 80,000 t/y). Production cost should be reduced approximately 55% in oder to secure commercial viability. This study suggests R&D and business strategies to enhance the commercial viability of lignocellulosic bio-butanol technology.

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