Techno-Economic Modeling of a Corn Based Ethanol Plant in 2011
Date
Authors
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
Dates of Existence
1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
Related Units
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Abstract
As studies continue to examine new value added uses for ethanol coproducts, it is important to have means to easily determine the feasibility of the processing steps involved. Many industries widely use computer simulation programs for this purpose, and for planning the use of resources and equipment capacities, and to determine processing costs. The objective of this project was to determine the sensitivity of 40 million gal/y corn-based ethanol plant model to changes in input material prices, product market prices, and various coproduct processing scenarios (i.e., oil extraction and drying of DDGS). The techno-economics of the base case ethanol plant were examined by factorially adjusting material and market costs, as well as adjusting the quantities of distillers wet grains (DWG), distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and corn oil produced. The simulations verified that corn price has the greatest impact on the overall annual operating costs for the ethanol plant, and that the market price of ethanol has the greatest impact on annual revenues. The effect of coproduct processing on utility usage was also observed; oil extraction and drying of DDGS consumed substantially more energy and had higher capital costs than production of DWG alone. It was apparent that coproducts are an essential component to the sustainability of an ethanol plant in that: 1) they have continued marketability to the livestock industry, and 2) processing is not overly-expensive. This study has provided a basis for further exploration of the feasibility of new coproduct processing options, and illustrates the use of the model for determination of processing costs and revenues, as well as mass and energy balances.
Comments
This is an ASABE Meeting Presentation, Paper No. 121337563.