Cellulosic ethanol hits roadblocks

Cellulosic ethanol: status and innovation.

Although the purchase price of cellulosic feedstocks is competitive with petroleum on an energy basis, the cost of lignocellulose conversion to ethanol using today's technology is high. Cost reductions can be pursued via either in-paradigm or new-paradigm innovation. As an example of new-paradigm innovation, consolidated bioprocessing using thermophilic bacteria combined with milling during fer...

Net energy of cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass.

Perennial herbaceous plants such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) are being evaluated as cellulosic bioenergy crops. Two major concerns have been the net energy efficiency and economic feasibility of switchgrass and similar crops. All previous energy analyses have been based on data from research plots (<5 m2) and estimated inputs. We managed switchgrass as a biomass energy crop in field tr...

Prospects of Cellulosic Ethanol from Sugarcane Bagasse

AGRICULTURAL residues such as grain straws and corn stover are abundant, readily available biomass feedstocks for the production of next generation biofuels, with collection and transport costs being a major component of their cost. Sugarcane bagasse is thus an especially attractive biomass feedstock in that it is an agricultural residue already present in large quantities at sugar and ethanol ...

Key Pretreatment Technologies on Cellulosic Ethanol Production

Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuel ethanol involves pretreatments followed by enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis to generate fermentable sugars. Efficient pretreatment method can significantly enhance hydrolysis of biomass and thus reduce ethanol production cost. Cellulosic plant materials are mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, the cheapest source of fermentable sugars....

Research Advances Cellulosic Ethanol, NREL Leads the Way (Brochure)