Exergy analysis and process integration of bioethanol production from acid pre-treated biomass: Comparison of SHF, SSF and SSCF pathways

One of the largest potential feedstock for ethanol is lignocellulosic biomass, principally agricultural residues. Cellulosic ethanol can be made from the stems, leaves, bagasse, stalks and trunks of plants which are not used for human-food production. However, there are significant economic challenges facing the second generation of biofuels. Consequently, application of process engineering is necessary to improve the overall process efficiency. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to apply energy and exergetic analysis together with process integration methodologies coupled with process simulation as a unified and effective tool for the evaluation of converting lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol. In this paper, bioethanol production from acid-pretreated bagasse using different process configurations that include sequential hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF), simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF), and simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) were analyzed.

► We compared biochemical pathway in biofuel production from acid-pretreated bagasse.
► SHF, SSF and SSCF pathways were analyzed.
► The evaluation was done based on exergy analysis and process integration.
► Integrated production scheme with minimal external energy consumption was proposed.