Renewable Diesel Production from Corn Stover (Biological Process)

This report approaches an economic analysis of Renewable Diesel production from corn stover in the United States. In this process, corn stover is pretreated and its components are hydrolyzed, being then bioconverted to free fatty acids (FFA). The FFAs are then hydrotreated to paraffinic compounds forming the Diesel product.

The report provides a comprehensive study of Biomass-Based Diesel production and related Biomass-Based Diesel production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the Biomass-Based Diesel production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related Biomass-Based Diesel plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective Biomass-Based Diesel plant operating costs (Opex).

The Biomass-Based Diesel production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The Biomass-Based Diesel plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The Biomass-Based Diesel plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.