Bioconversion of switchgrass: Identification of a leading pretreatment option based on yield, cost and environmental impact

Emma Smullen, John Finnan, David Dowling and Patricia Mulcahy

Renewable Energy, 2017, vol. 111, issue C, 638-645

Abstract: Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L) is considered to be one of the best feedstocks for second generation ethanol production. However, its use as a biofuel resource for the ethanol market is challenged by high investment costs and inconsistent production methodologies. This study explores the use of switchgrass as a potential feedstock for ethanol production, investigating the effects of different pretreatment chemicals – sodium hydroxide, methanol, sulphuric acid and ammonia – employed at various concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 mol L−1 on conversion yields, while also minimising cost and assessing potential environmental impacts.

Keywords: Switchgrass; Chemical pretreatment; Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF); Environmental impact; Economic value (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:111:y:2017:i:c:p:638-645

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2017.04.059

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