Bioethanol Production from Palm Biomass Residues and Techno-Economic Analysis Using Superpro Designer Software

This study investigates ethanol production from palm biomass residues using SuperPro Designer software. Palm biomass, which resembles bamboo in structural properties, is largely underutilized despite being abundant in major palm oil-producing countries like Indonesia and Malaysia. Approximately 90% of palm biomass is wasted post-harvest. With cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents of 38.7%, 23.8%, and 19.4% respectively (dry weight basis), palm biomass presents a valuable feedstock for bioethanol. A process model was developed to produce 88 million gallons of ethanol annually from 1000 MT/day of feedstock. The estimated annual operating cost is 0.66/kg. Economic indicators such as return on investment and payback time were calculated using selling prices of 1.24/kg for ionic liquid. Ionic liquids, used during pretreatment, are recovered at rates of 95-98%. Lignin, produced at 630 MT/day, is not included in revenue projections but could significantly improve profitability if marketed.