Techno-economic evaluation of a biorefinery applying food waste for sophorolipid production – A case study for Hong Kong

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2020

Keywords

Food waste, Sensitivity analysis, Sophorolipid, Starmerella bombicola, Techno-economic assessment

DOI

10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122852

Abstract

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of sophorolipid (SL) production process that co-utilizes food waste, glucose and oleic acid as substrates. Two variables are considered in terms of (a) Plant construction: Purchasing equipment either from the US or Mainland China and (b) Production: to produce SL crystals (about 97% active) or a concentrated SL liquid/syrup (about 78% active). Hence, four scenarios are generated: Scenario I: equipment made in the USA + SL crystals; Scenario II: equipment made in the USA + SL syrup; Scenario III: equipment made in China + SL crystals; Scenario IV: equipment made in China + SL syrup. It is found that all scenarios are economically feasible and Scenario I has the highest net profit. Scenario III has the highest internal rate of return, net present value and the shortest payback period at a 7% discount rate. Finally, comparison of food waste-related techno-economic studies was conducted.

Source Publication

Bioresource Technology

Volume Number

303

ISSN

09608524

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