Harnessing Switchgrass for Sustainable Energy: Bioethanol Production Processes and Pretreatment Technologies

Hilal Unyay (), Nuriye Altınay Perendeci, Piotr Piersa, Szymon Szufa and Agata Skwarczynska-Wojsa
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Hilal Unyay: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Nuriye Altınay Perendeci: Department of Environmental Engineering, Akdeniz University, 07050 Antalya, Turkey
Piotr Piersa: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Szymon Szufa: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Agata Skwarczynska-Wojsa: Department of Water Purification and Protection, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstanców Warszawy 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-13

Abstract: This paper investigates bioethanol production from switchgrass, focusing on enhancement of efficiency through various pretreatment methods and comparing two bioethanol production processes: simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF). Physical, chemical, and biological pretreatment processes are applied to enhance the breakdown of switchgrass’s lignocellulosic structure. Effects of pretreatments, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation on ethanol yield are discussed in detail. The comparative analysis reveals that SSF yields higher ethanol outputs within shorter times by integrating hydrolysis and fermentation into a single process. In contrast, SHF offers more control by separating these stages. The comparative analysis highlights that SSF achieves higher ethanol yields more efficiently, although it might restrict SHF’s operational flexibility. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current pretreatments, hydrolysis methods, and fermentation processes in bioethanol production from switchgrass, offering insights into their scalability, economic viability, and potential environmental benefits. The findings are expected to contribute to the ongoing discussions and developments in renewable bioenergy solutions, supporting advancing more sustainable and efficient bioethanol production techniques.

Keywords: bioethanol; hydrolysis; pretreatment; separate hydrolysis and fermentation; simultaneous saccharification and fermentation; switchgrass (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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