Article
Environmental Sciences
Meisam Ranjbari, Zahra Shams Esfandabadi, Tetiana Shevchenko, Simone Domenico Scagnelli, Su Shiung Lam, Sunita Varjani, Mortaza Aghbashlo, Junting Pan, Meisam Tabatabaei
Summary: This research provides insights into the evolution and development trends of techno-economic analysis (TEA) in the biofuel supply chain (BSC) domain through a comprehensive analysis of 1104 articles. The results indicate the need for tax measures and price subsidies to promote biofuel production and consumption, as well as the necessity for further research to enhance the economic feasibility of algal biofuels.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Junjie Li, Yueling Zhang, Yanli Yang, Xiaomei Zhang, Nana Wang, Yonghong Zheng, Yajun Tian, Kechang Xie
Summary: This study compared the three production routes of fuel ethanol and found that the second-generation fuel bioethanol (SGFB) route has the highest comprehensive score due to its excellent environmental performance and the efficient utilization of agricultural residuals. The industrialized coal-based fuel ethanol (CBFE) route has significant economic benefits and diversifies the sources of fuel ethanol, but it also faces challenges associated with high environmental impact, especially greenhouse gas emissions.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Sudha Eswaran, Senthil Subramaniam, Scott Geleynse, Kristin Brandt, Michael Wolcott, Xiao Zhang
Summary: This study evaluates the economic feasibility of sustainable aviation fuel production and emphasizes the importance of technology and feedstock costs in price sensitivity. The Catalytic Hydrothermolysis (CH) pathway shows promise in converting renewable oils to SAF, but incentives are needed to achieve price parity with petroleum jet fuel.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kristian Melin, Harri Nieminen, Daniel Klueh, Arto Laari, Tuomas Koiranen, Matthias Gaderer
Summary: To limit climate change, fast greenhouse gas reductions are required before 2030. We present a novel process for ethanol production using electricity and lignocellulosic biomass as inputs. The process is technically mature and has high energy and carbon efficiency, with a competitive cost compared to current biological routes.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Christian Yakan A. Nwai, Bilal Patel
Summary: The study conducted a techno-economic analysis of solar-aided corn stover to ethanol biorefineries in South Africa. Results showed that scenarios utilizing solar energy had higher energy conversion efficiency but also higher costs. The commercialization of lignin-rich residues as co-products was found to be economically unviable without significant reduction in capital investment or government subsidies.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ada Josefina Robinson, Aristide Giuliano, Omar Y. Abdelaziz, Christian P. Hulteberg, Apostolis Koutinas, Konstantinos S. Triantafyllidis, Diego Barletta, Isabella De Bari
Summary: This study establishes an integrated optimization model to assess the profitability of converting lignin into high-added-value products. The results demonstrate that lignin can have a high market value with the use of key technologies, depending on the market prices of different products.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
A. Aui, Y. Wang, M. Mba-Wright
Summary: The study found that the Minimum Fuel Selling Prices (MFSP) of cellulosic ethanol ranged from $0.90-6.00/gallon with an average of $2.65/gallon, comparable to retail gasoline prices in the U.S. Economic viability was influenced by capital cost, input, and output capacity. Government policies such as financial incentives and assistance programs are crucial for improving the economic viability of cellulosic ethanol.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Seyed Hashem Mousavi-Avval, Ajay Shah
Summary: Commercial production of jet fuel from pennycress, a potential low-cost feedstock, was assessed for technical feasibility and costs, with the study showing the potential for achieving economic viability at the commercial scale.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Wenxing Liang, Zeting Yu, Feiyu Bian, Haonan Wu, Kaifan Zhang, Shaobo Ji, Bo Cui
Summary: This study presents and investigates a biomass-based SOFC assisted carbon capture poly-generation system, which is integrated with the transcritical CO2 cycle, recompression supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle and doubleeffect LiBr absorption refrigeration cycle. The system not only supplies cooling, heating and power output, but also provides recovered condensate and captured CO2. Techno-economic-environmental analysis and four-criteria optimization are performed to comprehensively investigate the system performance. The simulation results demonstrate high overall efficiency, exergy efficiency and total cost rate under the design condition, with parametric analysis revealing the maximum net power output. The four-criteria optimization results show improvements in exergy efficiency and total cost rate compared to the base case. This work provides references for the development and exploration of high-efficiency, low-emission, low-cost and multi-functional technologies for the biomass-based SOFC hybrid power system.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Temitayo Giwa, Maryam Akbari, Amit Kumar
Summary: The integrated, multi-product approach to biorefining has the potential to improve the economic outlook of biorefineries and biofuel production. The scenario that produces hydrogen from non-condensable gases and ethanol from biochar is the most profitable, and the profitability is influenced by product prices, capital cost, and feedstock cost.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mahtab NaderiNasrabadi, Sudip K. Rakshit, Ganapathy Viswanathan, Zewei Chen, Peter B. Harrington, John A. Staser
Summary: This study analyzes the feasibility of integrating an electrochemical reactor into a lignocellulosic biorefinery for converting lignin to industrial chemicals, finding that profitability may depend on the extent of lignin conversion, with break-even product stream values potentially ranging from $1.00 to $2.00/kg.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Andrew M. Elias, Andreza A. Longati, Harikishan R. Ellamla, Felipe F. Furlan, Marcelo P. A. Ribeiro, Paulo R. F. Marcelino, Julio C. dos Santos, Silvio S. da Silva, Roberto C. Giordano
Summary: Research proposed two processes for producing biosurfactants from sugarcane bagasse, with the second process showing superior economic and environmental performance. Global sensitivity and uncertainty analyses indicated the need to focus on the performance and scaleup of bioreactors and ultrafiltration processes.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Antonio Zuorro, Kariana Andrea Moreno-Sader, Angel Dario Gonzalez-Delgado
Summary: The study suggests that by 2027, there will be a predicted increase in demand for chitin, chitosan, and astaxanthin, providing a business opportunity for shrimp industries to boost net profits through waste valorization strategies such as shrimp shell wastes (SSW) biorefining. The pilot-scale shrimp biorefinery in North-Colombia showed promising sustainability performance, although design improvements are recommended to reduce the consumption of organic solvents in the recovery stages.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Shuai Ma, Changqing Dong, Xiaoying Hu, Junjie Xue, Ying Zhao, Xiaoqiang Wang
Summary: This study proposes a novel biomass gasification-syngas fermentation-solid oxide fuel cell system for bioethanol production, which is proven to be efficient and cost-competitive through techno-economic assessment and multi-objective optimization.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jean Felipe Leal Silva, Pedro Y. S. Nakasu, Aline C. da Costa, Rubens Maciel Filho, Sarita C. Rabelo
Summary: This study presents a techno-economic analysis of pretreating sugarcane bagasse using the protic ionic liquid [MEA][OAc] and considering different washing methods. The results show that the best scenario resulted in a 33% increase in ethanol yield, along with an increase in wastewater and vinasse production.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Avantika Singh, Nicholas A. Rorrer, Scott R. Nicholson, Erika Erickson, Jason S. DesVeaux, Andre F. T. Avelino, Patrick Lamers, Arpit Bhatt, Yimin Zhang, Greg Avery, Ling Tao, Andrew R. Pickford, Alberta C. Carpenter, John E. McGeehan, Gregg T. Beckham
Summary: Esterases play a crucial role in enzymatic PET recycling, enabling efficient depolymerization to TPA and ethylene glycol, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and generating more socio-economic benefits.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Kylee Harris, R. Gary Grim, Zhe Huang, Ling Tao
Summary: Global demand for methanol is increasing, with renewable production pathways offering environmental benefits over traditional methods. However, comparing technologies at different maturity levels is challenging, necessitating a consistent techno-economic approach. Biomass gasification to methanol is identified as a near-term viable pathway with high technology readiness and competitive market pricing.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Longwen Ou, Shuyun Li, Ling Tao, Steven Phillips, Troy Hawkins, Avantika Singh, Lesley Snowden-Swan, Hao Cai
Summary: This study explores the economic and environmental implications of using wet waste feedstocks to produce biofuels, focusing on two pathways from yellow grease and swine manure. The swine manure HTL pathway shows negative GHG emissions due to credits of avoided emissions from conventional swine manure management. The commercialized yellow grease HEFA pathway benefits from carbon credits in the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard market.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Buddhinie S. Jayathilake, Swetha Chandrasekaran, Megan C. Freyman, Jorg S. Deutzmann, Frauke Kracke, Alfred M. Spormann, Zhe Huang, Ling Tao, Simon H. Pang, Sarah E. Baker
Summary: The integration of microbial synthesis with renewable electricity offers a promising solution for CO2 utilization and energy storage. Electrifying bioreactors provides benefits such as the use of selective bio-catalysts for CO2 conversion and the use of microbes as robust catalysts for higher efficiency. This Perspective proposes research on electro-bioreactor components and presents a case study on methane production to motivate these developments.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yudong Li, Ling Tao, Nick Nagle, Melvin Tucker, Xiaowen Chen, Erik M. Kuhn
Summary: Mass production of sustainable biofuels can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but the variability, availability, and affordability of biomass feedstock pose risks. This study found that different feedstock species and harvesting techniques impact sugar yields and production costs. Blending feedstocks of different biomass species is a potential successful strategy for sustainable biofuel production.
FRONTIERS IN ENERGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Sivasamy Sethupathy, Garbriel Murillo Morales, Lu Gao, Hongliang Wang, Bin Yang, Jianxiong Jiang, Jianzhong Sun, Daochen Zhu
Summary: As an abundant aromatic biopolymer, lignin holds great potential for producing various chemicals and biofuels through biorefinery activities, contributing to a sustainable circular economy. However, lignin valorization faces challenges such as its heterogeneous nature, intrinsic recalcitrance, strong smell, dark color, difficulties in lignocellulosic fractionation, and high bond dissociation enthalpies in its functional groups. Despite these constraints, recent research and development have shown promising applications of lignin-based hydrogels, surfactants, 3D printing materials, electrodes, and fine chemicals production. This review summarizes the main limitations and possible solutions for industrial lignin valorization, and provides future perspectives based on its abundance and potential applications reported in scientific literature.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Alex Badgett, Mark Ruth, Allison Crow, Gary Grim, Yingying Chen, Leiming Hu, Ling Tao, Wilson Smith, K. C. Neyerlin, Randy Cortright
Summary: The development of technology to utilize carbon dioxide is crucial in mitigating climate change. It is important to consider the nonlinear relationships between system performance, materials, and costs to optimize the scalability and cost-effectiveness of carbon dioxide reduction systems.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Daochen Zhu, Majjid A. Qaria, Bin Zhu, Jianzhong Sun, Bin Yang
Summary: Lignin is a common and abundant aromatic biopolymer in nature. Due to its complexity and highly polymerized structure, normal microorganisms struggle to degrade lignin. Microbes from extreme environments that can degrade lignin are considered promising candidates for lignin bioprocessing. The heterogeneity of lignin depolymerization products poses challenges for refining and utilizing its potential. Various versatile lignin-degrading enzymes, including lignin peroxidase, laccase, manganese peroxidase, and others, are required for the complex lignin degradation pathways. Extremozymes isolated from extremophiles have shown superior performance in harsh conditions, making them promising for efficient degradation and utilization of lignin. However, studying extremophiles and their enzymes is more challenging due to their unique physiological characteristics and the lack of tailored molecular tools. Integrated transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics analysis are expected to provide insights into lignin biotransformation. Furthermore, heterologous expression of extremophile genes in industrially relevant strains is necessary.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andrew W. Bartling, Pahola Thathiana Benavides, Steven D. Phillips, Troy Hawkins, Avantika Singh, Matthew Wiatrowski, Eric C. D. Tan, Christopher Kinchin, Longwen Ou, Hao Cai, Mary Biddy, Ling Tao, Andrew Young, Kathleen Brown, Shuyun Li, Yunhua Zhu, Lesley J. Snowden-Swan, Chirag R. Mevawala, Daniel J. Gaspar
Summary: Economic and environmental favorability are crucial for the development and deployment of sustainable fuels. This study conducted economic and sustainability analyses of 25 pathways for producing bioblendstocks. The results showed that most of the bioblendstocks had favorable economic metrics, but biochemically-based pathways faced challenges in achieving favorable minimum fuel selling price. Additionally, some pathways showed significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and fossil energy use.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Zhibin Yang, Zhangyang Xu, Maoqi Feng, John R. Cort, Rafal Gieleciak, Joshua Heyne, Bin Yang
Summary: This study reports the development of a jet fuel blend component using a specific feedstock and chemical process. The blended fuel showed similar operability properties to conventional jet fuel, indicating its potential use as a sustainable aviation fuel.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jian Fitria, Jian Liu, Bin Yang
Summary: Minerals in biomass have a significant impact on biofuel quality and yield, especially in current thermochemical biomass conversion processes. However, the roles of plant minerals in biochemical conversion have not been extensively studied, despite their known effect of reducing carbohydrate feedstock and sugar yield. This review discusses the challenges posed by plant minerals in a biorefinery, including decreased biomass quality, reduced process efficiency, and lower product quality and quantity from biomass conversion. It highlights the importance of strategically managing the occurrence of minerals in biomass to optimize biofuel production and support the concept of a circular bioeconomy.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Arpit H. Bhatt, Yimin Zhang, Anelia Milbrandt, Emily Newes, Kristi Moriarty, Bruno Klein, Ling Tao
Summary: The increasing consumption and emissions of jet fuel worldwide have created the necessity for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) technologies. One option is to use waste or biomass-based feedstocks, which can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel. This study evaluates the implications of key variables on the deployment of SAF at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and finds that woody biomass-based Fischer-Tropsch technology has the lowest production costs and reduces GHG emissions by 86% compared to conventional jet fuel.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Taemin Kim, Arpit Bhatt, Ling Tao, Pahola Thathiana Benavides
Summary: Producing valuable chemical products from wet wastes can effectively address the issues of waste accumulation and greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluated the environmental impacts of waste-derived polylactic acids (PLA) from different waste feedstocks. The results showed that swine manure was the most carbon-intensive pathway, followed by food waste and wastewater sludge. Waste-to-PLA pathways had lower carbon footprints compared to fossil-based resins. The decarbonization potential was higher for food waste and wastewater sludge pathways than for swine manure pathway.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adarsh Kumar, Meenu Jindal, Shivam Rawat, Abhisek Sahoo, Rahul Verma, Devesh Chandra, Sagar Kumar, Bhaskar Thallada, Bin Yang
Summary: Research found that Ni5Co5-AC catalyst on activated carbon showed the best catalytic performance due to its distorted metal alloy spinel structure and optimum particle size, enhancing its catalytic efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
R. Gary Grim, Dwarak Ravikumar, Eric C. D. Tan, Zhe Huang, Jack R. Ferrell, Michael Resch, Zhenglong Li, Chirag Mevawala, Steven D. Phillips, Lesley Snowden-Swan, Ling Tao, Joshua A. Schaidle
Summary: Due to weight and travel distance challenges, liquid hydrocarbon fuels will remain the primary choice for medium to long-haul aviation. However, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) produced from biogenic carbon sources are gaining attention as an alternative to reduce CO2 emissions. Recent studies propose utilizing CO2 and renewable electricity to convert into SAF, offering competitive costs and carbon intensity, and providing a different option from traditional technologies.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
