Abstract
Abstract One of the possible choices as a biomass for lignocellulosic bioethanol production are different perennial grasses. Cultivating this type of biomass has many advantages in terms of natural diversity and landscape protection. In this study, mixture of red clover and timothy grass was used as a feedstock to investigate its potential as a substrate for bioethanol production. Traditional three step bioethanol production process was used in combination with NED pretreatment. The results show at all pretreatment temperatures similar glucose concentrations and hydrolysis efficiencies, which varied from 4.3 to 5.1 g/l and 15.2 % to 17.7 %, respectively. The ethanol yield, on the other hand, decreased as the pretreatment temperature increased. However, the mass balance revealed that when using this kind of feedstock, 3.3-4.0 g ethanol could be produced from 100 g of biomass. The overall efficiency and yield of the process was lower than expected due to pretreatment, which might not have been suitable for soft biomass.
Highlights
We are living in times where we are moving from fossil fuel based economy to an economy based on bioresources
Traditional three step bioethanol production process was used in combination with nitrogen explosive decompression (NED) pretreatment
The results show at all pretreatment temperatures similar glucose concentrations and hydrolysis efficiencies, which varied from 4.3 to 5.1 g/l and 15.2 % to 17.7 %, respectively
Summary
We are living in times where we are moving from fossil fuel based economy to an economy based on bioresources. Perennial plants are grown on degraded lands that are no longer suitable for agricultural use and thereby, their use for biofuel production can decrease the competition with foodcrops [4]. These plants can be used as cover crops in a crop rotation since they can increase soil C and N storage, reduce the potential for N leaching and N fertilization rates [5]. Grasslands are recognized for their role in providing beneficial ecosystem services and wider benefits to society These include the food and bioenergy production, biodiversity of grassland ecosystems, landscape and aesthetic values, climate regulation, soil and water protection at local and regional scales, etc. These include the food and bioenergy production, biodiversity of grassland ecosystems, landscape and aesthetic values, climate regulation, soil and water protection at local and regional scales, etc. [6]
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