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Technical Feasibility and Comprehensive Sustainability Assessment of Sweet Sorghum for Bioethanol Production in China

Author

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  • Xiaolin Yang

    (College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
    National Energy R&D Center for Non-Food Biomass, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
    The authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Meng Li

    (College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
    National Energy R&D Center for Non-Food Biomass, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
    The authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Huihui Liu

    (College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
    National Energy R&D Center for Non-Food Biomass, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Lantian Ren

    (College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
    National Energy R&D Center for Non-Food Biomass, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Guanghui Xie

    (College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, No. 2, Yuanmingyuan West Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
    National Energy R&D Center for Non-Food Biomass, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China)

Abstract

Under dual pressures of energy and environmental security, sweet sorghum is becoming one of the most promising feedstocks for biofuel production. In the present study, the technical feasibility of sweet sorghum production was assessed in eight agricultural regions in China using the Sweet Sorghum Production Technique Maturity Model. Three top typical agricultural zones were then selected for further sustainability assessment of sweet sorghum production: Northeast China (NEC), Huang-Huai-Hai Basin (HHHB) and Ganxin Region (GX). Assessment results demonstrated that NEC exhibited the best sustainable production of sweet sorghum, with a degree of technical maturity value of 0.8066, followed by HHHB and GX, with corresponding values of 0.7531 and 0.6594, respectively. Prospective economic profitability analysis indicated that bioethanol production from sweet sorghum was not feasible using current technologies in China. More efforts are needed to dramatically improve feedstock mechanization logistics while developing new bioethanol productive technology to reduce the total cost. This study provides insight and information to guide further technological development toward profitable industrialization and large-scale sweet sorghum bioethanol production.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaolin Yang & Meng Li & Huihui Liu & Lantian Ren & Guanghui Xie, 2018. "Technical Feasibility and Comprehensive Sustainability Assessment of Sweet Sorghum for Bioethanol Production in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:731-:d:135103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Li, Shizhong & Li, Guangming & Zhang, Lei & Zhou, Zhixing & Han, Bing & Hou, Wenhui & Wang, Jingbing & Li, Tiancheng, 2013. "A demonstration study of ethanol production from sweet sorghum stems with advanced solid state fermentation technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 260-265.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hongshen Li & Shizhong Li, 2020. "Optimization of Continuous Solid-State Distillation Process for Cost-Effective Bioethanol Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Hongshen Li & Hongrui Liu & Shizhong Li, 2021. "Feasibility Study on Bioethanol Production by One Phase Transition Separation Based on Advanced Solid-State Fermentation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-14, October.
    3. Sugeng Widodo & Joko Triastono & Dewi Sahara & Arlyna Budi Pustika & Kristamtini & Heni Purwaningsih & Forita Dyah Arianti & Raden Heru Praptana & Anggi Sahru Romdon & Sutardi & Setyorini Widyayanti &, 2023. "Economic Value, Farmers Perception, and Strategic Development of Sorghum in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-22, February.
    4. Tamás Mizik, 2021. "Economic Aspects and Sustainability of Ethanol Production—A Systematic Literature Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-25, September.
    5. Mizik, Tamás, 2022. "A bioetanol-termelés gazdasági és fenntarthatósági vetületei [Economic and sustainability aspects of bioethanol production]," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(10), pages 1213-1241.
    6. Dewi Sahara & Joko Triastono & Raden Heru Praptana & Anggi Sahru Romdon & Forita Dyah Arianti & Sugeng Widodo & Arlyna Budi Pustika & Heni Purwaningsih & Andi Yulyani Fadwiwati & Sutardi & Muslimin & , 2023. "Sorghum Contribution to Increased Income and Welfare of Dryland Farmer Households in Wonogiri, Indonesia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.

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