Potential Bioethanol Research Articles

Bioethanol Potential from Oil Palm Sap in Ghana

Ghana has a competitive geographical location for oil palm development when compared with its immediate neighbours and other global producers. In 2010, a total of 336,000 hectares of oil palm plantation was cultivated in Ghana and this is expected to increase as part of the roadmap stipulated in the introduction of ‘Master Plan Study on the Oil Palm industry in Ghana’ in July 2012. In cognizance with the improvement of oil palm development, Ghana can develop biofuel plan and its implementation through the production of ethanol from palm sap. In this study, four leading cultivators of oil palm were examined for the potential palm sap that can be derived. An estimated amount of 447.5 million litres of bioethanol can be obtained from these four producers which could be used to support E10 and E20 as stipulated in the Strategic National Energy Plan (SNEP) (2006-2020).

Compositional analysis and projected biofuel potentials from common West African agricultural residues

In recent years the focus on sustainable biofuel production from agricultural residues has increased considerably. However, the scientific work within this field has predominantly been concentrated upon bioresources from industrialised and newly industrialised countries, while analyses of the residues from most developing countries remain sparse. In this study the theoretical bioenergy potentials (bioethanol and biogas) of a spectrum of West African agricultural residues were estimated based on their compositions. We analysed 13 of the most common residues: yam peelings, cassava peelings, cassava stalks, plantain peelings, plantain trunks, plantain leaves, cocoa husks, cocoa pods, maize cobs, maize stalks, rice straw, groundnut straw and oil palm empty fruit bunches. The yam peelings showed the highest methane and bioethanol potentials, with 439 L methane (kg Total Solids)−1 and 0.61 L bioethanol (kg TS)−1 based on starch and cellulose alone due to their high starch content and low content of un-biodegradable lignin and ash. A complete biomass balance was done for each of the 13 residues, providing a basis for further research into the production of biofuels or biorefining from West African agricultural residues.

KARAKTERISTIK DAN POTENSI BIOETANOL DARI NIRA NIPAH (Nypa fruticans) UNTUK PENERAPAN SKALA TEKNOLOGI TEPAT GUNA

Implemetasi underdeveloped research for large-scale production of energy selfsufficient villages and confined in a laboratory scale. The presence of mangrove forests along the palm beach peissir Indonesia is a potential independent village granaries Energy (DME) to produce local non-fossil energy resources, namely bioethanol as an energy mix through the substitution of fossil fuels in order to add and save energy nationwide. Exploration of green energy production process Tempatan with scale appropriate technology is essential to know the characteristics and potential of bioethanol and fuel substitution products will be produced. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of bioethanol from palm sap processing to scale the application of appropriate technology and the potential value of bioethanol FGE levels that would result in a 1 ha of mangrove forests nypa. Research using experimental and observational methodologies. Palm sap is used as the subject of this study is the result of tapping mangrove palm bunches done processing fermentation, distillation and dehydration. Data collected includes data 1). Characteristic, among others: fermentation, Kadar Alcohol Distillation and Dehydration results TTG Tools, Redemen Bioethanol, Nipah Bioethanol Quality Testing Specifications for Substitute Grade Fuel, Bioethanol Blending Testing FGE The substitution process to Fossil Fuels and Counting Bioethanol substitution needs to Biopremium octane FGE 92-95. And data 2). The potential value of Bioethanol and Biopremium Nipah. Furthermore, the data obtained and analyzed, if there is a significant difference followed by Duncan test at 5% significance level. The results showed the characteristics of bioethanol from palm sap processing to scale the ISSN 1978-5283

Chemical characterization and hydrothermal pretreatment of Salicornia bigelovii straw for enhanced enzymatic hydrolysis and bioethanol potential

Salicornia bigelovii straw was characterized and evaluated as a potential lignocellulosic bioethanol feedstock. S. bigelovii used in the study was grown in the United Arab Emirates using saltwater (40ppt) for irrigation. Salt removal was performed prior to pretreatment to protect the processing equipment and avoid inhibition of enzymes and yeast. Composition of the washed biomass was comparable to traditional lignocellulosic biomasses with relatively high glucan and xylan content (26 and 22g/100gDM, respectively) but with lower lignin content (7g/100gDM). The washed feedstock was subjected to hydrothermal pretreatment, producing highly digestible (up to 92% glucan-to-glucose conversion) and fermentable (up to 100% glucose-to-ethanol conversion) fiber fractions. Liquid fractions obtained in the pretreatment did not show inhibition towards Saccharomyces cerevisiae. No significant differences among the enzymatic convertibility and microbial fermentability of the fibers as well as low xylose recoveries suggest that lower severity pretreatment conditions could be exploited for S. bigelovii.

Techno-economic potential of bioethanol from bamboo in China

BackgroundBamboo is potentially an interesting feedstock for advanced bioethanol production in China due to its natural abundance, rapid growth, perennial nature and low management requirements. Liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatment was selected as a promising technology to enhance sugar release from bamboo lignocellulose whilst keeping economic and environmental costs to a minimum. The present research was conducted to assess: 1) by how much LHW pretreatment can enhance sugar yields in bamboo, and 2) whether this process has the potential to be economically feasible for biofuel use at the commercial scale. Pretreatments were performed at temperatures of 170-190°C for 10–30 minutes, followed by enzymatic saccharification with a commercial enzyme cocktail at various loadings. These data were then used as inputs to a techno-economic model using AspenPlus™ to determine the production cost of bioethanol from bamboo in China.ResultsAt the selected LHW pretreatment of 190°C for 10 minutes, 69% of the initial sugars were released under a standardised enzyme loading; this varied between 59-76% when 10–140 FPU/g glucan of commercial enzyme Cellic CTec2 was applied. Although the lowest enzyme loading yielded the least amount of bioethanol, the techno-economic evaluation revealed it to be the most economically viable scenario with a production cost of $0.484 per litre (with tax exemption and a $0.16/litre subsidy). The supply-chain analysis demonstrated that bioethanol could be economically competitive with petrol at the pump at enzyme loadings up to 60 FPU/g glucan. However, in a prospective scenario with reduced government support, this enzyme loading threshold would be reduced to 30 FPU/g glucan.ConclusionsBioethanol from bamboo is shown to be both technically and economically feasible, as well as competitive with petrol in China. Alternative approaches to reduce bioethanol production costs are still needed however, to ensure its competitiveness in a possible future scenario where neither tax exemptions nor subsidies are granted to producers. These measures may include improving sugar release with more effective pretreatments and reduced enzyme usage, accessing low cost bamboo feedstock or selecting feedstocks with higher/more accessible cellulose.

Bioenergy prospects in Taiwan using set-aside land – an economic evaluation

Purpose – This study aims to explore Taiwan's potential for bioenergy production using feedstocks grown on set-aside land and discusses the consequent effects on Taiwan's energy security plus benefits and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Design/methodology/approach – The Modified Taiwan Agricultural Sector Model (Modified TASM), based on price endogenous mathematical programming, was used to simulate different agricultural policies related to bioenergy production. To do this simulation, the TASM model was extended to include additional bioenergy production possibilities and GHG accounting. Findings – Taiwan's bioenergy production portfolio depends on prices of ethanol, electricity and GHG. When GHG prices go up, ethanol production decreases and electricity production increases because of the relatively stronger GHG offset power of biopower. Originality/value – Taiwan is interested in producing bioenergy but only limited information is available. This study provides the information on potential bioethanol and bioelectricity production from various energy crops, GHG emission offset from bioenergy, and regional energy security.

Sustainability of grape-ethanol energy chain

The aim of this work is to evaluate the sustainability, in terms of greenhouse gases emission saving, of a new potential bio-ethanol production chain in comparison with the most common ones. The innovation consists of producing bio-ethanol from different types of no-food grapes, while usually bio-ethanol is obtained from matrices taken away from crop for food destination: sugar cane, corn, wheat, sugar beet. In the past, breeding programs were conducted with the aim of improving grapevine characteristics, a large number of hybrid vine varieties were produced and are nowadays present in the CRA-VIT (Viticulture Research Centre) Germplasm Collection. Some of them are potentially interesting for bio-energy production because of their high production of sugar, good resistance to diseases, and ability to grow in marginal lands. LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of grape ethanol energy chain was performed following two different methods: (i) using the spreadsheet “BioGrace, developed within the “Intelligent Energy Europe” program to support and to ease the RED (Directive 2009/28/EC) implementation; (ii) using a dedicated LCA software. Emissions were expressed in CO2 equivalent (CO2eq). The results showed that the sustainability limits provided by the normative are respected to this day. On the contrary, from 2017 this production will be sustainable only if the transformation processes will be performed using renewable sources of energy. The comparison with other bioenergy chains points out that the production of ethanol using grapes represents an intermediate situation in terms of general emissions among the different production chains.

Production of ethanol from hemicellulose fraction of cocksfoot grass using pichia stipitis

Abstract Background In this study, cocksfoot grass (Dactylis glomerata), an abundant lignocellulosic biomass was pretreated using different operational parameters using wet explosion (WEx) pretreatment for accessing the bioethanol potential of the hemicellulose fraction. Utilization of the hemicellulose liquid hydrolysate to ethanol is essential for economically feasible cellulosic ethanol processes. Fermentation of the separated hemicellulose liquid hydrolysates obtained after the WEx pretreatment was done by Pichia stipitis CBS 6054 (Scheffersomyces stipitis). Results The fermentation of the WEx liquid hydrolysate from the pretreatment at higher severity (180°C, 15 min, 87 psi oxygen and 190°C, 15 min, 0.2% sulfuric acid) was fully inhibited probable by the presence of higher concentrations of inhibitory compounds such as furfural, HMF and acetic acid. The ethanol yield among other WEx conditions was in the range of 89 to 158 mL/kg DM, with the highest yield (92% of theoretical maximum value) found for the lower pretreatment severity at 160°C, 15 min, 87 psi oxygen. Conclusions Our findings from this present study demonstrated that the release of hemicellulose sugars in the liquid hydrolysate is maximal when a lower pretreatment severity is applied. This is evident as the highest ethanol yields were found under the pretreatment conditions at lower severity.

English

  This study aimed to determine bio-ethanol potential of poultry manure. The manure was hydrolyzed by dilute H2SO4 (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 M) at temperature of 100 and 130°C for 30 min. Maximum glucose (115.6 g/l)  was obtained from hydrolysis of 100 g poultry manure by 0.8M H2SO4 at 100°C for 30 min. The study shows that treatment of poultry manure releases more total reducing sugar using 0.8 M H2SO4. Refractometry analysis of the fermented hydrolysate gave maximum ethanol concentration of 5% w/v with 0.8 M H2SO4 and 4, 4, 3  and 2.5% of ethanol with 1, 0.6, 0.4 and 0.2 M H2SO4 hydrolysis at 130°C for 30 min, respectively. Treatment with 0.8 M acid is an effective way that results to maximum yield and treatment with 0.2 M acid is the least effective. The optimum fermentation time is 24 h.   Key words: Bioethanol, bio-mass, fermentation, conversion, ethanol fuel.

Maize Biomass Production, N-Use Efficiency and Potential Bioethanol Yield, Under Different Cover Cropping Managements, Nitrogen Influxes and Soil Types, in Mediterranean Climate

To evaluate the effect of cover cropping faba bean with maize, compared to maize monocrop cultivation, on yield (dry matter), nitrogen utilization efficiency (NUE) and N fertilizer recovery fraction of maize, field experiments were carried out over a period of three years. Experimental sites were located in central Greece, on a fertile, clayey soil and on a sandy soil of moderate fertility, A factorial combination of four nitrogen dressings (0, 80, 160, 240 kg ha-1) and three legume treatments (incorporated into the topsoil or harvested before the sowing of maize and mono-cropping) were tested in a split plot design in three blocks. Results showed a substantial importance of the legume cover crop for both soil types, for all studied factors. Maize total dry biomass yield fluctuated from 13.4 to 20.3 Mg ha-1 for the control plots, from 15.1 to 21.6 Mg ha-1 when faba bean was harvested and from 15.3 to 22.4 Mg ha-1 when incorporated, for clayey soil and from 12.4 to 16.9 Mg ha-1 for the control plots, from 14.9 to 19.4 Mg ha-1 when faba bean was harvested and from 14.5 to 19.6 Mg ha-1 when incorporated, for sandy soil. The NUE was estimated at 56 kg kg-1 and 55 kg kg-1 for clayey and sandy soil, respectively. The N recovery fraction was enhanced by 10-15% after faba bean cover cropping, for both soil types. Such systems should be seriously considered in future land use planning, with respect to the sustainable cultivation of maize.

Assessment of the bioethanol potential of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) biomass obtained from regular crops in the province of Almeria (SE Spain)

Prickly pear is a widely-known crop in the SE of Spain, where it is currently used for forage, fodder and fruit. Now it is being considered as a potential crop for bioethanol production from its whole biomass. In order to estimate the potential bioethanol production in the province of Almeria (SE-Spain) and the optimal location of bioethanol processing plants, a GIS analysis involving a predictive yield model of prickly pear biomass was undertaken following specific restriction criteria. According to this analysis, the total potential bioethanol production in Almeria would be up to 502,927.8 t dm·year-1 from 100,616 ha maximum that could be cultivated with prickly pear, with a calculated yield ranging between 4.2 and 9.4 t dm·ha-1·year-1. An exclusive suitability analysis and a preferable suitability analysis based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process were performed in order to estimate the optimal location of the subsequent processing plants within Almeria's road network by a discrete location-allocation model.

Chemical Composition and Biofuel Potentials of a Wide Diversity of Plant Biomasses

The chemical composition of 1052 samples covering 49 plant species is summarized in this paper. The analyzed biomasses offer a wide range of chemical compositions, monosaccharidic compositions of hemicelluloses, enzymatically digestible organic matter, and bioethanol potential. Nevertheless, their thermal energy value remains in a narrow range on a dry matter basis. Biomasses that were identified as best suited for anaerobic digestion are characterized by low contents of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin and high contents of non-structural constituents. Biomasses most suited for combustion present the lowest content of mineral compounds, and the most adequate biomasses for bioethanol conversion have high contents of total carbohydrates. Interestingly, the observed chemical compositions tend to cluster the biomasses in composition groups that also correspond to phylogenetic groups: commelinids, non-commelinid magnoliophyta, and pinophyta species. Some groups can clearly be subdivided into fibrous and m...

Prospecting Parthenium sp. pretreated with Trametes hirsuta, as a potential bioethanol feedstock

Abstract The main aim of this study was selection of the most potent white rot fungus for biological pretreatment of Parthenium sp. and to investigate the susceptibility of delignified biomass to enzymatic hydrolysis. Five white rot fungi were evaluated for lignolytic enzyme activity under submerged fermentation (SmF) with Parthenium sp. as sole carbon source. Among which Trametes hirsuta ITCC136 was found to be the most efficient strain with high lignolytic enzymatic activity (42.08 IU ml−1 laccase, 7.02 IU ml−1 manganese peroxidase and 3.58 IU ml−1 lignin peroxidase). Solid state fermentation (SSF) of Parthenium sp. using T. hirsuta revealed delignification of substrate to greater extent within 7 days with higher lignin recovery (1.92 fold) and enrichment of holocellulose content as compared to untreated (uninoculated) control. The alteration in structure and delignification was ascertained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The pretreated biomass yielded much higher level of sugars (485.64 mg/gds) than controls in 24 h of saccharification with Accellerase®1500. Higher availability of holocellulose (52.65%) in Parthenium sp. and selective lignin degradation by T. hirsuta in shorter incubation time makes it a prospective feedstock for bioethanol production. This study represents a first time report illustrating the suitability of biologically delignified Parthenium sp. as a feedstock for fuel ethanol production.

Evaluation of Sugar Content and Bioethanol Potentials of Some Freshwater Biomass

An evaluation of sugar content and bioethanol potential of some freshwater biomass namely; Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth) Pistia stratiotes (Water Lettuce) and Salvinia molesta (Water Fern) was carried out in a batch hydrolysis and fermentation processes. Determinations of xylose and glucose content were achieved using phloroglucinol and Dinitrosalicylic assay respectively. While the amount of glucose in E. crassipes, P. stratiotes and S. molesta were 0.08, 0.07 and 0.04 g/L, that of xylose were found to be 0.11, 09 and 0.07 g/L respectively. The results of analysis of biofuel potential show that maximum ethanol yield of 25 cm3 was observed in E. crassipess, 25 cm3 in P. stratiotes and 20 cm3 was found in S. molesta after 21days of fermentation and this gave a corresponding mean yield of 18.3 cm3, 17.6 cm3 and 15.0 cm3 respectively. The study concludes that the sugar content in the freshwater biomass determined the amount of ethanol yield. While there are no significant differences in the bioethanol production potential between the three biomass samples, E. crassipess and P. stratiotes have higher yield than S. molesta.

Bioethanol production from marine algae biomass: prospect and troubles

The increase of petroleum cost as well as global warming and climate change result in investigation to discover new renewable energy resources. Bioenergy is one of the most important sources that is concerning the scientists and industrial sector. Although bioethanol had to be known as one of the most important renewable energy sources in order to reduce greenhouse gases and global warming, there is a limited number of publications reporting on them. In this review, a brief overview is offered about bioethanol production from algae. It can be given a deeper insight in dificulties and promising potential of bioethanol from algae.
 Sự gia tăng giá nhiên liệu hóa thạch cùng với cảnh báo toàn cầu về biến đổi khí hậu hướng đến việc nghiên cứu tìm ra những nguồn năng lượng có thể tái tạo. Năng lượng sinh học là một trong những nguồn quan trọng được các nhà khoa học và doanh nghiệp quan tâm. Mặc dù ethanol sinh học đã được biết đến như là một trong những dạng năng lượng tái tạo quan trọng nhất để giảm thiểu các khí nhà kính và cảnh báo toàn cầu, nhưng chỉ có một số ít bài báo về nó. Trong bài tổng quan này, chúng tôi giới thiệu vắn tắt việc sản xuất ethanol sinh học từ tảo. Nó đưa ra cái nhìn sâu hơn về những khó khăn và tiềm năng hứa hẹncủa sản xuất ethanol sinh học từ tảo.

Chemical composition and bioethanol potential of different plant species found in Pacific Northwest conservation buffers

Lands producing mixed lignocellulosic ethanol feedstocks may be able to produce more biomass with fewer resources than conventional monoculture crops, but lignocellulosic ethanol production processes and efficiencies can be highly dependent on feedstock composition. In this study, plants were collected from areas planted to simulate conservation buffers alongside stream channels within three common resource areas the interior Pacific Northwest. Two grasses (tall wheatgrass and alfalfa) and seven forb species (fiddleneck tarweed, dog fennel, kochia, downey brome, tall annual willowherb, prickly lettuce, and tumble mustard) commonly found in these buffers were examined to determine their chemical composition, potential bioethanol yields, and difficulties that may arise if they were to be harvested and processed in a single facility. Potential ethanol yields calculated on the basis of sugar monomer composition in the biomass ranged from 181.5 to 316.5 l/dry ton of biomass. Significant differences were noted in terms of structural sugars (cellulose 19%–33% w/w; hemicellulose 14%–26% w/w), lignin (10%–18% w/w), extractives (20%–40% w/w), and ash content (4.0%–13.8% w/w). These composition variations could vary the processing efficiency in terms of sugar recovery and eventual ethanol production yield.

Volatile organic compound emissions from elephant grass and bamboo cultivars used as potential bioethanol crop

Volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from elephant grass (Miscanthus gigantus) and black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) were measured online in semi-field chamber and plant enclosure experiments during growth and harvest using proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), proton-transfer reaction ion-trap mass spectrometry (PIT-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Both cultivars are being considered for second-generation biofuel production. Before this study, no information was available on their yearly VOC emissions. This exploratory investigation shows that black bamboo is a strong isoprene emitter (daytime 28,516 ng gdwt−1 h−1) and has larger VOC emissions, especially for wound compounds from the hexanal and hexenal families, than elephant grass. Daytime emissions of methanol, acetaldehyde, acetone + propanal and acetic acid of black bamboo were 618, 249, 351, and 1034 ng gdwt−1 h−1, respectively. In addition, it is observed that elephant grass VOC emissions after harvesting strongly depend on the seasonal stage. Not taking VOC emission variations throughout the season for annual and perennial species into account, may lead to an overestimation of the impact on local air quality in dry periods. In addition, our data suggest that the use of perennial grasses for extensive growing for biofuel production have lower emissions than woody species, which might be important for regional atmospheric chemistry.

Potential of bioethanol as a chemical building block for biorefineries: Preliminary sustainability assessment of 12 bioethanol-based products

The aim of this study is to present and apply a quick screening method and to identify the most promising bioethanol derivatives using an early-stage sustainability assessment method that compares a bioethanol-based conversion route to its respective petrochemical counterpart. The method combines, by means of a multi-criteria approach, quantitative and qualitative proxy indicators describing economic, environmental, health and safety and operational aspects. Of twelve derivatives considered, five were categorized as favorable (diethyl ether, 1,3-butadiene, ethyl acetate, propylene and ethylene), two as promising (acetaldehyde and ethylene oxide) and five as unfavorable derivatives (acetic acid, n-butanol, isobutylene, hydrogen and acetone) for an integrated biorefinery concept.

Second generation bioethanol potential of Turkey

Energy security and energy independency are vital components of economic stability and national security. The largest portion of the energy currently used in Turkey is derived from petroleum, 92% of which is imported. Besides depending on other countries’ non-renewable energy resources, petroleum consumption brings environmental problems as well. One fuel that has the potential to match the convenient features of petroleum is ethanol, produced from lignocellulosic biomass. In this study, the annual bioethanol potential of Turkey from major crop residues (wheat, barley, and rice straw; maize, cotton, and sunflower stalks) was estimated. Approximately, 21 × 106 tons of dry lignocellulosic biomass residue (excluding the amount to prevent soil erosion and animal feed) from these crops was available for conversion to bioethanol in 2011. Wheat and barley straw account for 54% and 22% of the total crop residue, respectively. The total lignocellulosic biomass could produce up to 6.10 Gl of bioethanol per year. The potential bioethanol production could replace 4.39 Gl of gasoline per year when bioethanol is used in E85 fuel for a midsize passenger vehicle. The estimations suggest that bioethanol production from only wheat and barley straw would be more than sufficient to replace total annual gasoline consumption in Turkey. Furthermore, Turkey can export approximately 1.8 Gl gasoline equivalent of bioethanol per year. These findings indicate that Turkey has a massive potential to be a zero-petroleum import country.

Pretreatment as the crucial step for a cellulosic ethanol biorefinery: Testing the efficiency of wet explosion on different types of biomass

The efficiency of wet explosion applied as modified dilute acid pretreatment at previously identified reference conditions (150°C, 0.3% H2SO4, 15min) was investigated on lucerne, ryegrass, fescue grass, cocksfoot grass, rye fescue, forage grass, and wheat straw in order to identify their potential as feedstock for cellulosic bioethanol production.After pretreatment, cellulose recovery was more than 95% for all biomass while enzymatic convertibility of cellulose ranged from 40% to 80%. Lower enzymatic conversion of cellulose was correlated with higher lignin content of the biomass. Hemicellulose recovery was 81–91% with a final pentose yield of 65–85%. Cocksfoot grass and wheat straw had the highest bioethanol potential of 292 and 308L/ton DM, respectively. Overall efficiencies were higher than 68% for cocksfoot grass harvested in August, fescue grass, wheat straw, and forage grass while efficiencies were lower than 61% for the other tested biomass resources, making further adjustment of the process parameters necessary.