Improving economics of lignocellulosic biofuels: An integrated strategy for coproducing 1,5-pentanediol and ethanol

Kefeng Huang, Wangyun Won, Kevin J. Barnett, Zachary J. Brentzel, David M. Alonso, George W. Huber, James A. Dumesic, Christos T. Maravelias

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

A biorefinery strategy for the coproduction of ethanol and 1,5-pentanediol (1,5-PDO), which can be used as polyester and polyurethane component, from lignocellulosic biomass is proposed. This strategy integrates biomass fractionation with simultaneous conversion of hemicellulose and cellulose constituents into 1,5-PDO and ethanol, respectively. An experimentally-based process model is developed to determine the economic potential of the integrated strategy. The coproduction strategy becomes competitive with the ethanol-only strategy when 1,5-PDO can be sold at $1140/ton, which is well below the market price of 1,5-PDO. The most important process parameters include biomass loading for biomass fractionation, enzyme loading for enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation, and overall achievable yields from C5 sugars to 1,5-PDO.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)585-594
Number of pages10
JournalApplied Energy
Volume213
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Building and Construction
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • General Energy
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Keywords

  • Bioethanol
  • Biorefinery
  • Integration
  • Process design
  • Technoeconomic analysis

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