LCA and TEA of Corn Stover Size Reduction

Abstract. Cost and environmental impacts are the two key issues related to the development of biofuels. The size reduction process of feedstock for the production of lignocellulosic ethanol, a second generation biofuel, is energy-intensive and costly. In this study, life cycle analyses and techno-economic analyses were conducted for six different scenarios of corn stover size reduction. Six grinding condition combinations of three different moisture content (5%, 10%, 20%, wet basis) and two different screens (2mm, 6mm) of a knife mill were each used for the six scenarios. The cost and environment impact was compared for each scenario on the basis of producing the same amount of fermentable sugars. A comparably cost-efficient and environmentally friendly corn stover size reduction scenario was concluded.