Evaluation of Bioenergy Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass of Salicornia Bigelovii

Abstract

Salicornia bigelovii is being cultivated as a part of an ISEAS (Integrated Seawater Energy and Agricultural System). Significant amounts of lignocellulosic biomass are being produced in ISEAS in the form of S.bigelovii straw (stems and pods). Efficient pretreatment methods for extraction of mineral salts and hemicelluloses sugars from the lignocellulosic fraction of salicornia were evaluated through laboratory experiments. S.bigelovii was pretreated at 190, 200 and 210°C without catalyst and at 200°C with 0.5% H2SO4. A maximum of 86% glucose recovery was achieved during pretreatment at 210°C while 50% xylose and 38% arabinose were the maximum possible recoveries, both of which were achieved at pretreatment temperature of 190°C. A total of 92% convertibility of glucose and 96% convertibility of xylose were calculated based on the pretreated fiber content. A maximum theoretical ethanol yield of 24g/100gm to total solids was achieved using the glucose amounts released during enzymatic hydrolysis. Based on the laboratory results a process model comprising of the various unit operations was developed using Super Pro Designer ® as the simulation software. The developed process evaluated the combined ethanol and biogas potential from process plant. The biogas optimization study suggests that stand alone biogas production appears to be a more economical option than the cogeneration of biogas and ethanol or a stand-alone ethanol production facility.

Date of Award	Jun 2013
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Mette H. Thomsen (Supervisor)