Cogeneration in integrated first and second generation ethanol from sugarcane

Author(s)

Dias, Marina O. S. ; Junqueira, Tassia L. ; Cavalett, Otavio ; Cunha, Marcelo P. ; Jesus, Charles D. F. ; Mantelatto, Paulo E. ; Rossell, Carlos E. V. ; Maciel Filho, Rubens ; Bonomi, Antonio

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN; v. 91, n. 8, p. 7-pg., 2013-08-01.

Abstract

Sugarcane bagasse and trash are used as fuels in cogeneration systems for bioethanol production, supplying steam and electricity, but may also be used as feedstock for second generation ethanol. The amount of surplus lignocellulosic material used as feedstock depends on the energy consumption of the production process; residues of the pretreatment and hydrolysis operations (residual cellulose, lignin and eventually biogas from pentoses biodigestion) may be used as fuels and increase the amount of lignocellulosic material available as feedstock in hydrolysis. The configuration of the cogeneration system (boiler pressure, lignocellulosic material consumption and steam production, turbines efficiencies, among others) has a significant impact on consumption of fuel and electricity output; in the integrated first and second generation, it also affects overall ethanol production. Simulations of the integrated first and second generation ethanol production processes were carried out using Aspen Plus, comparing different configurations of the cogeneration systems and pentoses use (biodigestion and fermentation). Economic analysis shows that electricity sale can benefit second generation ethanol, even in relatively small amounts. Environmental analysis shows that the integrated first and second generation process has higher environmental impacts in most of the categories evaluated than first generation. (C) 2013 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/19396-6 - Simulation and evaluation of sugarcane biorefineries for the production of bioethanol and its derivatives (alcoholchemistry route)
• Grantee: Marina Oliveira de Souza Dias
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 08/57873-8 - An integrated process for total bioethanol production and zero CO2 emission
• Grantee: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Thematic Grants