NREL, 2007
Thermochemical ethanol via indirect gasification and mixed alcohol synthesis of lignocellulosic biomass
In previous biomass conversion design reports by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a benchmark for achieving production of ethanol from cellulosic feedstocks that would be "cost competitive with corn-ethanol" has been quantified as $1.07 per gallon ethanol minimum plant gate price. This process design and technoeconomic evaluation addresses the conversion of biomass to ethanol via thermochemical pathways that are expected to be demonstrated at the pilot-unit level by 2012. This assessment is unique in its attempt to match up (1) currently established and published technology, (2) technology currently under development or shortly to be under development from DOE Office of Biomass Program funding, and (3) biomass resource availability in the 2012 time frame consistent with the Billion Ton Vision study.
