Conference article

Bioethanol Production from Cotton Stalks or Corn Stover? A Comparative Study of Their Sustainability Performance

Costas P. Pappis
University of Piraeus, Department of Industrial Management and Technology, Greece

Evangelos C. Petrou
University of Piraeus, Department of Industrial Management and Technology, Greece

Download articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp11057156

Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:21, p. 156-162

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Published: 2011-11-03

ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

The production of second generation biofuels (ones produced from lignocellulosic materials) has not yet been developed in a full commercial scale. However; a considerable number of pilot and demonstration plants have been announced or set up in recent years; with research activities taking place mainly in North America; Europe and a few other countries (e.g. Brazil; China; India etc). At the same time their environmental and economic performance are under examination. These performance issues are very sensitive on a variety of parameters such as feedstock material; production technology; logistics involved etc. In this study the sustainability performance of two alternative bioethanol’s production systems; namely; one using cotton stalks and a second one using corn stover feedstock; are examined and compared using the Analytic Hierarchy Process method. Life Cycle Impact Assessment is used in order to evaluate each alternative’s environmental performance. For this purpose; a modern powerful and state of the art software (SimaPro) is used. The systems’ economic performance is based on cost/ benefit calculations.

Keywords

Bioethanol; Analytical Hierarchy Process; Life Cycle Impact Assessment

References

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