Integrated production of animal feed and cellulosic ethanol by steam explosion and alkaline deacetylation pathways

• Grant number: 21/10566-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: October 01, 2021
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Maria Francisco Luiz Jose Bonomi
• Grantee: Fernando Roberto Paz Cedeno
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/11523-5 - Sugarcane - livestock integration: modeling and optimization, AP.BIOEN.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/08638-3 - Advancing the deacetylation and mechanical refining pathway for the biochemical conversion of sugarcane bagasse, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Production of liquid biofuels has been promoted to enhance energy security and mitigate climate change, but potential competition with food production has given rise to the so-called "food versus fuel" debate. In this context, the thematic project "Sugarcane - livestock integration: modeling and optimization" focuses on the optimization of the integrated system aiming at the sustainable production of bioenergy and food. Leveraging the novel technologies of cellulosic ethanol for integrated production of animal feed is one opportunity foreseen for the integrated system. In this post-doctoral project, two cellulosic ethanol pathways (steam explosion and alkaline deacetylation) will be carried out by processing sugarcane bagasse in laboratory and pilot scales. The post-doctorate will (1) conduct the execution and analysis of the cellulosic ethanol pathways; (2) contribute to the techno-economic and environmental assessment of the integrated fuel-feed production pathways; and (3) interface with other work packages (mainly the evaluation of nutritional potential of feed ingredients and the biorefinery modelling) of the thematic project, supplying materials and data as well as constructing a common understanding across disciplines and institutions. In this way, this post-doctorate will develop the experimental and conceptual basis for integrated production of cellulosic ethanol and livestock feed and will delineate the critical technical indexes of this integration. (AU)