In this work, the integration of first and second generation (1G2G) ethanol production processes was assessed, considering short and long term prospects for the process steps that comprise second generation (2G) process. Comparison to a first generation (1G) ethanol plant using all lignocellulosic...

In this work, the integration of first and second generation (1G2G) ethanol production processes was assessed, considering short and long term prospects for the process steps that comprise second generation (2G) process. Comparison to a first generation (1G) ethanol plant using all lignocellulosic material as fuel to
maximize electricity production was carried out. Another scenario evaluated was the integrated 1G2G process using energy cane, a high fiber variety of sugarcane, as feedstock. Results showed that 1G plant presents a better economic performance in the short term; however, in the long term, the 1G2G process can significantly decrease ethanol production costs as well as environmental impacts,
such as climate change and agricultural land occupation. The breakdown of ethanol production costs indicated that capital cost, biomass and enzyme (used only in 2G process) are responsible for up to 90 % of total costs. In addition, the introduction of energy cane allowed reducing the biomass cost and its contribution on ethanol production cost due to the higher agricultural productivities forecasted to this feedstock. Environmental assessment showed that 2G process can significantly decrease impacts, while energy cane still presents high impacts when short term 2G technology is considered, due to the relatively low ethanol yield per tonne of feedstock

FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP

2011/51902-9; 2010/17139-3

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