Book Description

This report presents a cost analysis of second generation Ethanol production from wood chips via a thermochemical process. The process examined is similar to the one reported by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). In this process, biomass is subjected to gasification generating syngas, which is then converted to hydrous Ethanol. The process employs concepts similar to those proposed in patents issued to Range Fuels. Mixed alcohols are generated as by-products. This report examines one-time costs associated with the construction of a United States-based plant and the continuing costs associated with the daily operation of such a plant. More specifically, it discusses: * Capital Investment, broken down by: - Total fixed capital required, divided in production unit (ISBL); infrastructure (OSBL) and contingency - Alternative perspective on the total fixed capital, divided in direct costs, indirect costs and contingency - Working capital and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up * Production cost, broken down by: - Manufacturing variable costs (raw materials, utilities) - Manufacturing fixed costs (maintenance costs, operating charges, plant overhead, local taxes and insurance) - Depreciation and corporate overhead costs * Raw materials consumption, products generation and labor requirements * Process block flow diagram and description of industrial site installations (production unit and infrastructure) This report was developed based essentially on the following reference(s): Phillips, S., et al., "Thermochemical Ethanol via Indirect Gasification and Mixed Alcohol Synthesis of Lignocellulosic Biomass, " Report NREL/TP-510-41168, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 2007 Keywords: Ethyl Alcohol, Bioethanol, Lignocellulosic Biomass, 2nd Generation, Cellulosic Sugar, Hemicelluloses, Cellulose