Process modeling and integration of fuel ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass based on double acid hydrolysis

Lignocellulosic biomass is considered as one of the most promising feedstocks for producing fuel ethanol because of its global availability and environmental benefits of its use. In this paper, the process of lignocellulosic ethanol production was investigated at its present state of development. The experimental data from the East China University of Science and Technology were used to develop a process model and evaluate the performance of the whole process design. For the process simulation, all relevant information about the process streams, physical properties, and mass and energy balances were also considered. Energy integration is investigated to identify the best ways to supply heat to the process, realizing also combined heat and power production from wastewater and residue treatment. The sensitivity on ethanol yield and the overall system performance are also investigated.