Yeimmy Yolima Peralta-Ruiz

Simulation of bioethanol production process from residual microalgae biomass

Abstract Microalgae biomass is been evaluated mostly for biodiesel production, however, this feedstock has the potential of be used for production of bioethanol owing to its percentage of cellulosic material, in this work was performed the evaluation of three alternative technologies for the production of bioethanol from microalgae cake (biomass of microalgae lipid-free) in large scale, using the methodology of process simulation. Simultaneous Saccharification and Co-fermentation SSCF (route 1), Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation SSF (route 2), and Separate Saccharification and fermentation using acid hydrolysis SHF (route 3), technological routes were simulated based on experimental information using the software Aspen Plus 7.1. Results of simulation shows that Route 1 (SSCF) presents a bioethanol yield of 23.6%, being the highest of the routes evaluated, SSF route gives a yield of 20.1% and SHF 18.5%. This study shows the potential of enzymatic technologies for microalgal bioethanol production.