(253f) Conversion of Corn Stover to Fuel and Chemical – the Optimization of Biomass Carbon Efficiency through Lignin Utilization

On a dry mass basis, cellulosic feedstock like corn stover typically comprises about 60% carbohydrate and 20% lignin. Typically, a bioconversion method is applied to convert the carbohydrate to value-added chemicals or biofuel. The simplest option to utilize the lignin effluent is generating heat and power onsite; however, this does not optimize either the overall biomass carbon efficiency or the production cost. Process models of hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of the leftover lignin from biochemical process were developed based on experimental data and a yield predictive model. Mass and energy balances of the model simulation suggests that producing marketable chemicals from carbohydrate and producing transportation fuel from lignin is probably the most efficient practice to maximize corn stover carbon efficiency. Techno-economic analysis (TEA) is applied to identify significant process cost drivers. Data gaps in the analysis will be addressed.