Techno-Economic Analysis of Biodiesel Production from Microbial Oil Using Cardoon Stalks as Carbon Source

Abstract

Today one of the most interesting ways to produce biodiesel is based on the use of oleaginous microorganisms, which can accumulate microbial oil with a composition similar to vegetable oils. In this paper, we present a thermo-chemical numerical model of the yeast biodiesel production process, considering cardoon stalks as raw material. The simulation is performed subdividing the process into the following sections: steam explosion pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, lipid production, lipid extraction, and alkali-catalyzed transesterification. Numerical results show that 406.4 t of biodiesel can be produced starting from 10,000 t of lignocellulosic biomass. An economic analysis indicates a biodiesel production cost of 12.8 USD/kg, thus suggesting the need to increase the capacity plant and the lipid yield to make the project economically attractive. In this regard, a sensitivity analysis is also performed considering an ideal lipid yield of 22% and 100,000 t of lignocellulosic biomass. The biodiesel production costs related to these new scenarios are 7.88 and 5.91 USD/kg, respectively. The large capacity plant combined with a great lipid yield in the fermentation stage shows a biodiesel production cost of 3.63 USD/kg making the product competitive on the current market of biofuels by microbial oil.

A Superstructure-Based Lignin Valorization Process Optimization Model for Lignocellulosic Biorefineries through Biological Upgrading

“…For PDC, a slightly different approach is used; since this product is not currently sold on a large scale, we use an estimated price of $5,500/MT, which is in line with the general price for biobased dicarboxylic acids . To estimate CAPEX and utility usage, we relied on data from studies employing glycerol and a combination of glucose and xylose as fermentation carbon sources for PHA and lipids production, respectively. , This decision was made in response to the absence of specific data for lignin monomers. This strategy enables us to move forward with our analysis despite the limitations in data, yet we admit that it represents an optimistic assumption in light of the specific needs of lignin-based processes.…”

Triacyl Glycerols from Yeast-Catalyzed Batch and Fed-Batch Bioconversion of Hydrolyzed Lignocellulose from Cardoon Stalks

“…Recent studies have compared biodiesel production via biotechnological approaches in the marketplace with traditional production processes. The cost of biodiesel obtained from microbial oils is actually estimated at 12.8 USD/kg, almost fifteen times higher than the current market price of conventional biodiesel obtained from oilseed crops (about 0.9 USD/kg) [84]. The use of cheaper C sources (e.g., agro-industrial wastes and non-food crops) allowing the lipid accumulation by oleaginous yeasts should reduce the production costs around 50% [29].…”

A Superstructure-Based Lignin Valorization Process Optimization Model for Lignocellulosic Biorefineries through Biological Upgrading

“…34 To estimate CAPEX and utility usage, we relied on data from studies employing glycerol and a combination of glucose and xylose as fermentation carbon sources for PHA and lipids production, respectively. 35,36 This decision was made in response to the absence of specific data for lignin monomers. This strategy enables us to move forward with our analysis despite the limitations in data, yet we admit that it represents an optimistic assumption in light of the specific needs of lignin-based processes.…”