Bioethanol from lignocellulosic wastes in Australia
This study assesses the viability of producing Bioethanol from non-food biomass in Australia. Large quantities of lignocellulosic material are wasted annually in Australia. Such waste is a viable and sustainable resource for the production of Bioethanol. Wheat straw, sugarcane fibres and barley straw were found to be the largest sources of lignocellulosic waste, followed by wood and other agricultural by-products. A method for calculating the theoretical conversion from celluloses to ethanol is presented along with biomass data collection assumptions. The combined wastes were calculated to be equivalent to 23.1-31.2 GL of Bioethanol annually. This is estimated to supply Australia with 13-17 times our fuel ethanol requirements at a 10% gasohol blend.