Production of bioethanol from citrus peel waste: A techno – economic feasibility study

Abstract

The quest for sustainable and clean energy solutions has sparked considerable interest in alternative energy sources to mitigate the destructive impacts of climate change and reduce over dependency on fossils fuels. Among these, biofuels, particularly bioethanol, have shown great potential based on their renewable nature, non – toxic, biodegradability and low carbon footprint. Whereas there are various reported studies on bioethanol production for organic waste, comprehensive studies targeting the technical and economic aspects are lacking. Hence, this study explores the techno – economic feasibility of the production of bioethanol from citrus peel waste using a multifaceted approach that addresses the dual challenge of energy generation and waste management. The study provides an elaborative analysis of the composition of citrus peels; technical aspects of bioethanol production and evaluated relevant unit operations. The specific reactions that occur and the optimum conditions for the processes are determined. The economic viability of the process, considering a daily processing capacity of 450 metric tons of citrus peel waste is assessed. The profitability analysis indicates a Return of Return on investment (ROR) of 23.21 %, Discounted Cash Flow Rate of Return (DCFROR) of 25.15 %, net present worth of $ 84.94 million and payout period of 2.96 years. The findings demonstrate the technological and economic feasibility of producing bioethanol from citrus peel waste, highlighting its potential as a sustainable bioenergy solution with attractive environmental, energy and economic benefits.