scholarly journals THE PROSPECTS, IMPACTS, AND RESEARCH CHALLENGES OF ENHANCED CELLULOSIC ETHANOL PRODUCTION: A REVIEW

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 267-275
Author(s):  
SL Ezeoha ◽  
CN Anyanwu ◽  
JN Nwakaire
Keyword(s):  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Cellulosic Ethanol ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Research Challenges ◽  
Thermochemical Processes

The benefits and impacts of enhanced cellulosic ethanol (CE) production, the major features of existing production processes, and some current research challenges of major pretreatment processes are presented. The prospects of enhanced CE production, especially in developing economies like Nigeria are highlighted. We conclude that in order to reap the promising prospects and conquer the challenges and negative impacts of enhanced CE production, current researches for production of cellulosic ethanol must be focused on the development of processes that are capable of liberating and fermenting lignocellulose into bioethanol at faster rates, higher yields, and overall technical and economic efficiency. These researches should concentrate on the development of cheaper enzymes, genetically engineered microorganisms, and cost-effective thermochemical processes in order to accomplish the much-needed breakthrough in cellulosic biofuel production. Properly targeted innovative researches on cellulosic ethanol production processes are the sure route to effective reduction of global dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels. The needed research breakthroughs will obviously be based on innovative integration of processes rather than on the improvement of the well-known individual processes of bioethanol production. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i1.32

scholarly journals Conversion of biomass to biofuels and life cycle assessment: a review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed I. Osman ◽  
Neha Mehta ◽  
Ahmed M. Elgarahy ◽  
Amer Al-Hinai ◽  
Ala’a H. Al-Muhtaseb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Liquid Fuels ◽  
Thermochemical Processes ◽  
Lower Temperature

AbstractThe global energy demand is projected to rise by almost 28% by 2040 compared to current levels. Biomass is a promising energy source for producing either solid or liquid fuels. Biofuels are alternatives to fossil fuels to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Nonetheless, policy decisions for biofuels should be based on evidence that biofuels are produced in a sustainable manner. To this end, life cycle assessment (LCA) provides information on environmental impacts associated with biofuel production chains. Here, we review advances in biomass conversion to biofuels and their environmental impact by life cycle assessment. Processes are gasification, combustion, pyrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis routes and fermentation. Thermochemical processes are classified into low temperature, below 300 °C, and high temperature, higher than 300 °C, i.e. gasification, combustion and pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is promising because it operates at a relatively lower temperature of up to 500 °C, compared to gasification, which operates at 800–1300 °C. We focus on 1) the drawbacks and advantages of the thermochemical and biochemical conversion routes of biomass into various fuels and the possibility of integrating these routes for better process efficiency; 2) methodological approaches and key findings from 40 LCA studies on biomass to biofuel conversion pathways published from 2019 to 2021; and 3) bibliometric trends and knowledge gaps in biomass conversion into biofuels using thermochemical and biochemical routes. The integration of hydrothermal and biochemical routes is promising for the circular economy.

scholarly journals Recent Developments and Current Status of Commercial Production of Fuel Ethanol

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuan-Dung Hoang ◽  
Nhuan Nghiem
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Turn Of The Century ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Commercial Scale ◽  
The World ◽  
Recent Developments

Ethanol produced from various biobased sources (bioethanol) has been gaining high attention lately due to its potential to cut down net emissions of carbon dioxide while reducing burgeoning world dependence on fossil fuels. Global ethanol production has increased more than six-fold from 18 billion liters at the turn of the century to 110 billion liters in 2019 (1,2). Sugar cane and corn have been used as the major feedstocks for ethanol production. Lignocellulosic biomass has recently been considered as another potential feedstock. This paper reviews recent developments and current status of commercial production of ethanol across the world. The review includes the ethanol production processes used for each type of feedstock, both currently practiced at commercial scale and newly developed technologies, and production trends in various regions and countries in the world.

scholarly journals An Assessment Of Microalgal Biodiesel With Acetone, Butanol and Ethanol Using LIfe Cycle Assessment (LCA) Methodology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherilyn Dignan
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Production Model ◽  
Lca Methodology ◽  
Fuel Production ◽  
Renewable Fuel ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Microalgal Biodiesel

Canada, as one of the largest producers and consumers of fossil fuels per capita on the planet, is attempting to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In order to accomplish this, fuel alternatives, such as biofuel, are required. Accordingly, this study uses LCA methodology to quantify the GHG impact of a unique biofuel production model. This unique model produces biodiesel (BD), acetone, butanol and ethanol (ABE) from microalgae and assesses the process GHG impact against other microalgal BD production processes. This study’s microalgal BD and ABE production process produces 76 kgCO2e per functional unit, whereas other comparable microalgal BD production processes produce between 3.7 and 85 kgCO2e. Overall, this study clarifies that without the development of versatile infrastructure to accommodate biofuel production, LCA studies will continue to find renewable fuel production processes net GHG positive for the simple reason that fossil resources are still the primary energy source.

scholarly journals Microbial Beta Glucosidase Enzymes: Recent Advances in Biomass Conversation for Biofuels Application

Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Srivastava ◽  
Rishabh Rathour ◽  
Sonam Jha ◽  
Karan Pandey ◽  
Manish Srivastava ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Biomass Hydrolysis ◽  
Advanced Technique ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Beta Glucosidase ◽  
Made In

The biomass to biofuels production process is green, sustainable, and an advanced technique to resolve the current environmental issues generated from fossil fuels. The production of biofuels from biomass is an enzyme mediated process, wherein β-glucosidase (BGL) enzymes play a key role in biomass hydrolysis by producing monomeric sugars from cellulose-based oligosaccharides. However, the production and availability of these enzymes realize their major role to increase the overall production cost of biomass to biofuels production technology. Therefore, the present review is focused on evaluating the production and efficiency of β-glucosidase enzymes in the bioconversion of cellulosic biomass for biofuel production at an industrial scale, providing its mechanism and classification. The application of BGL enzymes in the biomass conversion process has been discussed along with the recent developments and existing issues. Moreover, the production and development of microbial BGL enzymes have been explained in detail, along with the recent advancements made in the field. Finally, current hurdles and future suggestions have been provided for the future developments. This review is likely to set a benchmark in the area of cost effective BGL enzyme production, specifically in the biorefinery area.

scholarly journals Recent Developments and Current Status of Commercial Production of Fuel Ethanol

Fermentation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 314
Author(s):  
Tuan-Dung Hoang ◽  
Nhuan Nghiem
Keyword(s):  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Turn Of The Century ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Production Processes ◽  
Commercial Scale ◽  
The World ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Current Production

Ethanol produced from various biobased sources (bioethanol) has been gaining high attention lately due to its potential to cut down net emissions of carbon dioxide while reducing burgeoning world dependence on fossil fuels. Global ethanol production has increased more than six-fold from 18 billion liters at the turn of the century to 110 billion liters in 2019, only to fall to 98.6 billion liters in 2020 due to the pandemic. Sugar cane and corn have been used as the major feedstocks for ethanol production. Lignocellulosic biomass has recently been considered as another potential feedstock due to its non-food competing status and its availability in very large quantities. This paper reviews recent developments and current status of commercial production of ethanol across the world with a focus on the technological aspects. The review includes the ethanol production processes used for each type of feedstock, both currently practiced at commercial scale and still under developments, and current production trends in various regions and countries in the world.

scholarly journals Possibilities of Upgrading Solid Underutilized Lingo-cellulosic Feedstock (Carob Pods) to Liquid Bio-fuel: Bio-ethanol Production and Electricity Generation in Fuel Cells - A Critical Appraisal of the Required Processes

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Vourdoubas ◽  
Vasiliki K. Skoulou
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Steam Reforming ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Ethanol Fuel ◽  
Steam Reforming Of Ethanol

The exploitation of rich in sugars lingo-cellulosic residue of carob pods for bio-ethanol and bio-electricity generation has been investigated. The process could take place in two (2) or three (3) stages including: a) bio-ethanol production originated from carob pods, b) direct exploitation of bio-ethanol to fuel cells for electricity generation, and/or c) steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production and exploitation of the produced hydrogen in fuel cells for electricity generation. Surveying the scientific literature it has been found that the production of bio-ethanol from carob pods and electricity fed to the ethanol fuel cells for hydrogen production do not present any technological difficulties. The economic viability of bio-ethanol production from carob pods has not yet been proved and thus commercial plants do not yet exist. The use, however, of direct fed ethanol fuel cells and steam reforming of ethanol for hydrogen production are promising processes which require, however, further research and development (R&D) before reaching demonstration and possibly a commercial scale. Therefore the realization of power generation from carob pods requires initially the investigation and indication of the appropriate solution of various technological problems. This should be done in a way that the whole integrated process would be cost effective. In addition since the carob tree grows in marginal and partly desertified areas mainly around the Mediterranean region, the use of carob’s fruit for power generation via upgrading of its waste by biochemical and electrochemical processes will partly replace fossil fuels generated electricity and will promote sustainability.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Bioethanol Production From Lignocellulosic Biomass

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (-1) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zane Aunina ◽  
Gatis Bazbauers ◽  
Karlis Valters
Keyword(s):  
Ethanol Production ◽  
Lignocellulosic Biomass ◽  
Cellulosic Ethanol ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Bioethanol Production ◽  
Price Comparison ◽  
Production Processes

Feasibility of Bioethanol Production From Lignocellulosic Biomass The objective of the paper is to discuss the potential of cellulosic ethanol production processes and compare them, to find the most appropriate production method for Latvia's situation, to perform theoretical calculations and to determine the potential ethanol price. In addition, price forecasts for future cellulosic and grain ethanol are compared. A feasibility estimate to determine the price of cellulosic ethanol in Latvia, if production were started in 2010, was made. The grain and cellulosic ethanol price comparison (future forecast) was made through to the year 2018.

scholarly journals Genetic engineering, a hope for sustainable biofuel production: review

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudip Paudel ◽  
Michael A Menze
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Lipid Production ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Genetically Engineered Organisms

The use of recently developed genetic engineering tools in combination with organisms that have the potential to produce precursors for the production of biodiesel, promises a sustainable and environment friendly energy source. Enhanced lipid production in wild type and/or genetically engineered organisms can offer sufficient raw material for industrial transesterification of plant-based triglycerides. Bio-diesel, produced with the help of genetically modified organisms, might be one of the best alternatives to fossil fuels and to mitigate various environmental hazards. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v3i2.10644 International Journal of the Environment Vol.3(2) 2014: 311-323

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