Techno-economic modeling of a corn based ethanol plant in 2011/2012

• The economic feasibility of processing ethanol coproducts needs to be determined.
• Computer based models can easily predict the behavior and economic impact.
• Material and product prices were altered to determine the models sensitivities.
• Coproduct processing was altered to determine the effect on the facility's economics.
• Coproducts are an essential component to the sustainability of an ethanol plant.

As studies continue to examine new value added uses for ethanol coproducts, it is important to easily determine the feasibility of the processing steps involved. This study observed the sensitivity of a corn-based ethanol plant model to changes in input prices and various coproduct processing. The simulations verified that corn price had the greatest impact on the overall annual operating costs for the ethanol plant, and that the market price of ethanol had the greatest impact on annual revenues. It was apparent that coproducts are an essential component to the sustainability of an ethanol plant in that: (1) they have continued marketability to the livestock industry, and (2) processing is not overly expensive. This study has provided a basis for further exploration of the feasibility of new coproduct processing options, and illustrates the use of the model for determination of processing costs and revenues, as well as mass and energy balances.