Heat integration of biochemical ethanol production from straw - A case study

► We perform heat integration of ethanol production from straw. ► In pinch analysis distillation and evaporation design are examined in detail. ► Via pinch analysis the design is improved and the utility targets reduced by 15%. ► For the improved design an efficient heat exchanger network was obtained. ► For this network 50% of residual materials suffice to provide process heat.