A review on techno-economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high-value products

Circular Bioeconomy (CBE) has gained momentum in recent years as an alternative to conventional energy sources. Cascaded use of wastes and residues has been seen as an attractive option with low environmental impact. Specifically, lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) promises to be a sustainable and abunda...

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Main Authors: Ronak Patel, T.S. Rajaraman, Paresh H. Rana, Nikita J. Ambegaonkar, Sanjay Patel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Results in Chemistry
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625000359
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author Ronak Patel
T.S. Rajaraman
Paresh H. Rana
Nikita J. Ambegaonkar
Sanjay Patel
author_facet Ronak Patel
T.S. Rajaraman
Paresh H. Rana
Nikita J. Ambegaonkar
Sanjay Patel
author_sort Ronak Patel
collection DOAJ
description Circular Bioeconomy (CBE) has gained momentum in recent years as an alternative to conventional energy sources. Cascaded use of wastes and residues has been seen as an attractive option with low environmental impact. Specifically, lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) promises to be a sustainable and abundant source of biomass. Numerous studies have been carried out with different LCBs to produce a host of biofuels and high-value products. Widespread research in the area has resulted in the development of novel conversion technologies of LCB into useful products. Despite the encouraging outcomes observed in laboratory-scale investigations, it is essential to conduct techno-economic analysis (TEA) on these processes to assess their viability for future commercialization. This review summarizes results from TEA studies on LCB-based biorefineries, with the main emphasis on biofuels (bioethanol, biohydrogen and biobutanol) and high-value products (xylitol, succinic acid, 5-HMF, and lactic acid). Effects of different parameters on the performance of LCB-based biorefineries have also been reviewed, which highlights its effect on plant economic indicators such as minimum selling price (MSP), capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating expenditure (OPEX), payback period (PBP) etc. Additionally, manufacturing of the above-mentioned biofuels and high-value products are discussed in brief along with challenges and possible solutions. TEA studies suggested that the MSP of biofuels, namely bioethanol (US$ 0.5–1.8/L) and biobutanol (US$ 0.5–2.2/kg), were competitive with their respective current market prices, whereas biohydrogen (US$ 9-33/kg) displayed a greater MSP. MSP of xylitol (US$ 1.5–3.1/kg), succinic acid (US$ 1.5–6.9/kg), 5-HMF (US$ 1–2/kg) and Lactic acid (US$ 0.5–1.9/kg) were competitive with their market price. Moreover, the synergetic effect of co-production was found to yield favourable economic outcomes. Key issues and opportunities for LCB-based biorefineries, in general, for CBE have also been addressed. Finally, the role of policy mechanisms, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other data-driven technologies are also discussed in the biorefinery context.
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spelling doaj-art-1e17e8345d17449bb0f64f69114e4a822025-01-29T05:01:10ZengElsevierResults in Chemistry2211-71562025-01-0113102052A review on techno-economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high-value productsRonak Patel0T.S. Rajaraman1Paresh H. Rana2Nikita J. Ambegaonkar3Sanjay Patel4Chemical Engineering Department, L. D. College of Engineering, Navrangpura Ahmedabad Gujarat IndiaChemical Engineering Department, L. D. College of Engineering, Navrangpura Ahmedabad Gujarat India; Corresponding author.Chemical Engineering Department, L. D. College of Engineering, Navrangpura Ahmedabad Gujarat IndiaChemical Engineering Department, L. D. College of Engineering, Navrangpura Ahmedabad Gujarat IndiaChemical Engineering Department, Institute of Technology, Nirma University Ahmedabad Gujarat IndiaCircular Bioeconomy (CBE) has gained momentum in recent years as an alternative to conventional energy sources. Cascaded use of wastes and residues has been seen as an attractive option with low environmental impact. Specifically, lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) promises to be a sustainable and abundant source of biomass. Numerous studies have been carried out with different LCBs to produce a host of biofuels and high-value products. Widespread research in the area has resulted in the development of novel conversion technologies of LCB into useful products. Despite the encouraging outcomes observed in laboratory-scale investigations, it is essential to conduct techno-economic analysis (TEA) on these processes to assess their viability for future commercialization. This review summarizes results from TEA studies on LCB-based biorefineries, with the main emphasis on biofuels (bioethanol, biohydrogen and biobutanol) and high-value products (xylitol, succinic acid, 5-HMF, and lactic acid). Effects of different parameters on the performance of LCB-based biorefineries have also been reviewed, which highlights its effect on plant economic indicators such as minimum selling price (MSP), capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating expenditure (OPEX), payback period (PBP) etc. Additionally, manufacturing of the above-mentioned biofuels and high-value products are discussed in brief along with challenges and possible solutions. TEA studies suggested that the MSP of biofuels, namely bioethanol (US$ 0.5–1.8/L) and biobutanol (US$ 0.5–2.2/kg), were competitive with their respective current market prices, whereas biohydrogen (US$ 9-33/kg) displayed a greater MSP. MSP of xylitol (US$ 1.5–3.1/kg), succinic acid (US$ 1.5–6.9/kg), 5-HMF (US$ 1–2/kg) and Lactic acid (US$ 0.5–1.9/kg) were competitive with their market price. Moreover, the synergetic effect of co-production was found to yield favourable economic outcomes. Key issues and opportunities for LCB-based biorefineries, in general, for CBE have also been addressed. Finally, the role of policy mechanisms, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other data-driven technologies are also discussed in the biorefinery context.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625000359Lignocellulosic biomassBiofuelsHigh-value productsTechno-economic analysisBiorefinery
spellingShingle Ronak Patel
T.S. Rajaraman
Paresh H. Rana
Nikita J. Ambegaonkar
Sanjay Patel
A review on techno-economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high-value products
Results in Chemistry
Lignocellulosic biomass
Biofuels
High-value products
Techno-economic analysis
Biorefinery
title A review on techno-economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high-value products
title_full A review on techno-economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high-value products
title_fullStr A review on techno-economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high-value products
title_full_unstemmed A review on techno-economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high-value products
title_short A review on techno-economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high-value products
title_sort review on techno economic analysis of lignocellulosic biorefinery producing biofuels and high value products
topic Lignocellulosic biomass
Biofuels
High-value products
Techno-economic analysis
Biorefinery
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211715625000359
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