Fuels from Sugar Crops:Systems Study for Sugarcane,Sweet Sorghum,and Sugar Beets.

摘要

An extensive analysis is made of the technical and economic feasibility of producing fuels and chemicals from the sugar crops (sugar cane,sweet sorghum,and sugar beets). It is concluded that ethanol and ammonia are the most promising products. Ethanol produced by fermentation on juice or molasses is close to economic competitiveness. The ammonia cost is not yet competitive but could be competitive with coal-produced ammonia. Sugar cane appears to be the most promising crop in the short and intermediate term;sweet sorghum has the greatest long-range appeal. The development of processes to manufacture ammonia,methanol,acetic acid,and thermochemical substitute natural gas (SNG) from sugar crop residues depends on technology to generate synthesis gas. Anaerobic digestion of sugar cane or juices to SNG is not attractive on economic grounds. The agricultural aspects of sugar crops research are summarized. Energy balances of input/output are derived for sugar cane and sugar beets. Recommendations are made for USDOE actions and policy decisions. (ERA citation 04:002696)