Economic analysis of selected lignocellulose-to-ethanol conversion technologies

The objective of this case study was to examine the economics of three lign ocellulose-to-ethanol conversion technologies: fast pyrolysis integrated wi th a fermentation step, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF ), and dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis and fermentation. All technologies w ere assumed to have an annual production rate of 25 million gallons of etha nol. The three technologies were compared in terms of capital costs, operat ing costs, and ethanol production costs. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to study the uncertainties of wood costs and ethanol production rates o n ethanol production costs. Final economic analysis showed that fast pyroly sis integrated with a fermentation step is comparable with the other two pr ocesses and suggests that it should be considered for further development.