Economic Feasibility Study of an Enzymatic Hydrolysis-Based Ethanol Plant with Prehydrolysis Pretreatment: A Subcontract Report

摘要

This report presents an economic feasibility study of an enzymatic-hydrolysis-based ethanol plant with prehydrolysis treatment. Dilute-acid prehydrolysis had been determined to be one of the most economic pretreatments for enzyme hydrolysis. A Midwest site was selected for the ethanol facility; screening parameters were ethanol consumption patterns, gasoline demand, tax laws, and wood resources. The facility is designed to produce 25 million gallons per year of fuel-grade ethanol from mixed hardwood chips, with furfural and carbon dioxide as major by-products. It was determined that an enzymatic hydrolysis based ethanol plant using prehydrolysis pretreatment is a viable process concept. 14 refs., 4 figs., 76 tabs. (ERA citation 12:038702)