Value of Furfural/Ethanol Coproduction from Acid Hydrolysis Processes

摘要

The benefits of two modifications in the acid hydrolysis of cellulosic feedstocks for the production of ethanol fuels were investigated: marketing of the by-product furfural and xylose fermentation. Preliminary analysis indicate that the furfural by-product furfural and xylose fermentation. Perliminary analyses indicate that the furfural by-product credit is more beneficial at a minimum net profit of $0.08/lb of furfural. For this credit to have a major impact on ethanol production costs, new markets for large quantities of furfural must be identified. Furfural can be an alternative feedstock for hydrocarbon-based commodity chemicals. The costs and profitabilities of producing five chemicals from furfurals as opposed to conventional hydrocarbon-based feedstocks were studied. The furfural processes for production of styrene and butadiene were found to be marginally competitive or not competitive. The furfural processes for adipic acid, maleic anhydride, and butanol could be competitive. Results of analysis by a computer model of the petrochemical industry indicate that with furfural markets additional to these three furfural processes, over 2.5 x 10 exp 9 gal of ethanol could be marketed at about $1.00/gal. Converting the xylose stream to ethanol has about the same effect on the selling price of ethanol as the furfural credit. The greatest ethanol production will result from xylose fermentation, but the furfural credit offers large near-term profits and has a more diversified impact on reducing petroleum product demand. 6 figures, 17 tables. (ERA citation 09:002084)