Prefeasibility study for the nanocellulose production from biomass in the Colombian context

Abstract

The utilisation of lignocellulosic biomass for the processing of novel composites has attracted growing interest due to its ecological and renewable characteristics. The cellulose present can be transformed into nanocellulose (NC). This work aims to assess the nanocellulose production from technical, economic, and logistical perspectives based on lignocellulosic biomass in a Colombian context. The study was performed by following four methodological steps: (i) conceptual design, (ii) process simulation, (iii) economic assessment, and (iv) logistical analysis. According to the economic results, the steam explosion scenario is the best because it presents the lowest production cost (0.68USD/kg of nanocellulose) and the highest economic margin (72.61%). The multi-criteria analysis that compared the technical and economic results showed that the organosolv process scenario has the best technical performance but its economic behaviour is its biggest disadvantage. In a Colombian context, nanocellulose production depends on the availability of wastes produced and the composition of its constituents. Sugarcane bagasse is the best candidate. From the logistical analysis, it is established that it is necessary to buy sugarcane bagasse from different sugar mills.