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This study explores the effect of high-solids loading for a fed batch enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. The solids loading considered was 19%, 30% and 45% using wheat straw and corn stover as a feedstock. Based on the experimental results, techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessments were performed. The experimental results showed that 205±25.8g/L glucose could be obtained from corn stover at 45% solids loading after 96h which when fermented yielded 115.9±6.37g/L ethanol after 60h of fermentation. Techno-economic analysis showed that corn stover at 45% loading yielded the highest ROI at 8% with a payback period less than 12years. Similarly, the global warming potential was lowest for corn stover at 45% loading at -37.8gCO eq./MJ ethanol produced.

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Surfactants have been demonstrated to be effective in increasing the cellulase enzyme efficacy and overall enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. However, the impact of the surfactant addition on the economic viability and environmental impacts of the bioethanol process has not been well-investigated. The objective of this study was to determine the economic and the environmental impacts of using five surfactant typespolyethylene glycol (PEG) 3000, PEG4000, PEG6000, PEG8000, and Tween80at various concentrations (8%, 5%, 2%, 1%, 0.75%, 0.5%, 0.25%, and 0% (w/w)) during enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of pretreated Banagrass. We used an integrated techno-economic and life cycle assesment to guide the selection of optimal surfactant concentration in the bioethanol process. A surfactant concentration of >2% negatively affects the profitability of ethanol, even when there is a statistically significant increase in glucose and ethanol titers. Based on the overall performance indicators for final ethanol, economic viability and environmental impacts, the addition of PEG6000 at 2% (w/w) were determined to be the optimal option. Glucose and ethanol concentrations of 119.2 ± 5.4 g/L and 55.0 ± 5.8 g/L, respectively, with an 81.5% cellulose conversion rate, were observed for 2% (w/w) PEG6000. Techno-economic and life cycle analysis indicated that 2% w/w PEG6000 addition resulted in ROI of 3.29% and had reduced the global warming potential by 6 g CO 2 /MJ ethanol produced.

Biostimulants can be given to seeds, plants, and soil to encourage growth. Improved tolerance to abiotic stressors and higher seed and grain yields and quality results from these components altering critical and biochemical processes throughout plant development. The need for fertilizers can also be minimized because of biostimulants. Biochar is a biostimulant, a porous material with a high sorption capacity, which can be put directly into the soil with fertilizers. Biostimulants can be either naturally occurring or synthetically produced compounds that stimulate and activate the plant to resist stressful situations. When biomass is pyrolyzed in an oxygen-deficient environment, biochar is produced as a byproduct. It has a carbonaceous structure and several functional groups, making it permeable. Its molecular structure also demonstrates remarkable resistance to chemicals and microbes. The chemical and physical properties of biochar are very sensitive to the pyrolysis temperature and other process parameters, including residence time and furnace temperature.