TECHNICAL-ECONOMIC JUSTIFICATION OF BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION FROM OAT HULLS
A steady trend is now being observed in the production of second-generation bioethanol from lignocellulosics. The present paper reports a technical-economic justification of bioethanol production from oat hulls. Technological operations in the bioethanol production include one-stage chemical pretreatment of feedstock with sodium hydroxide solution, enzymatic hydrolysis combined with alcoholic fermentation, distillation, and rectification of bioethanol. In this endeavor, the prime cost of bioethanol was estimated for ZAO Biyskiy Spirtzavod (Biysk Distillery). The distillery is expected to be processing 64,000 tons of oat hulls per annum, which is equivalent to 1/5 of the Altai Krai reserves. The production capacity of the distillery is 768,000 dal of bioethanol per year, and having regard to selling coproducts, the prime cost of 1 dal bioethanol will account for 372.6 rubles or 37.26 rubles per 1 L bioethanol, or 0.59 $. In this project, the estimated cost of bioethanol is commensurable with its prime cost in most countries worldwide, which will permit a competitive product to be produced under the global market conditions.