Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol.56, No.40, 11388-11397, 2017
Convenient Product Distribution for a Lignocellulosic Biorefinery: Optimization through Sustainable Indexes
The current approach for technological projects must fulfill sustainability indexes. In this work, we use a multiobjective optimization framework to analyze the convenient product distribution in a lignocellulosic biorefinery, considering economic, environmental, and safety indexes. Corn cob was selected as feedstock due to the high annual volume produced as residue of maize crop. Products selection was based on the existing demand and economic value; bioethanol, lactic acid, succinic acid, xylitol, and lignosulfonates were chosen. Through the multiobjective optimization strategy an efficient solution with an Economic Potential Index of 0.16 is achieved, generating an annual utility of nearly 70 kUSD when bioethanol and xylitol production is favored over succinic acid and lactic acid. This tool can be applied with different feedstocks and products in a biorefinery scheme, with kinetic and yield data for corresponding processes.