Bioethanol production from forest residues and life cycle cost analysis of bioethanol-gasoline blend on transportation sector

In this study, an experimental investigation of pure bioethanol production from the waste biomass of the most significant cultivated feedstock (oil palm and rubber-wood) in Malaysia and life cycle cost analysis of bioethanolgasoline blend on Malaysian transportation sector has been demonstrated. The experimental investigations presented all the stages from oil palm frond/leaves and rubber-wood sawdust collection to bioethanol purification. Both feedstocks have been pre-treated by sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide, hydrolyzed by cellulase enzyme, and fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae within 12-72 h to produce bioethanol. After distillation, 35% and 45% pure bioethanol was obtained for mixed oil palm residues and rubber-wood sawdust, respectively. Detailed life cycle cost analysis of a large-scale bioethanol plant (20 ktonns/y) has been designed based on the experimental outcome for 20 years life time. The possibility of 5% (E5) and 10% (E10) replacement of total gasoline application for Malaysian transportation sector by the produced bioethanol has been simulated using simulation software code blocks. From the economic perspective, the results presented that both waste biomass can be converted into a value-added product, bioethanol, and a by-product, biomass content that can add market value as commercial biofertilizer. This study suggested that partial substitution of gasoline with bioethanol produced from forest residues could lead to the significant commercial aspect of fuel savings for the transportation sector in Malaysia.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated the production of pure bioethanol from waste biomass in Malaysia, specifically oil palm and rubber-wood, and conducted a life cycle cost analysis of bioethanol-gasoline blend in the transportation sector. It showed that waste biomass could be converted into value-added bioethanol and biomass content for commercial biofertilizer, leading to fuel savings by partially replacing gasoline with bioethanol produced from forest residues in Malaysia.