An Efficient and Integrated Biomass to Sustainable Low-Carbon Bio-Ethylene Process

Abstract Various types of biomass such as agriculture waste/residues and sustainably sourced woody biomass can be utilized to produce circular, low carbon biofuels such as SAF/gasoline/methanol and Diesel for decarbonization of transport, as well as biobased chemicals like Ethylene Oxide (EO), Polyethylene and others. The entire process for conversion of biomass to biofuels and renewable chemicals presents a highly efficient, integrated and a low carbon sustainable alternative to fossil fuels as a solution urgently needed to combat climate change and for meeting the Net Zero Goals by 2050. The integrated process backed by trade secrets and extensive IP involves i) conversion of biomass into bioethanol intermediate via Petron's highly efficient and commercially demonstrated Cellulosic Ethanol G2.0 technology, and ii) dehydration (water removal) of bioethanol into high purity bio-ethylene. The ethylene produced is then purified upto the required grades depending on the downstream applications. The biomass feedstock undergoes efficient pretreatment and is converted into constituent sugars via action of enzymes followed by fermentation into beer (alcohol) with high efficiency and yields. The beer is then purified to produce the required quality of ethanol which can be directly fed into Petron's proprietary Ethanol to Ethylene (EtE) process. The non-converted process residues are used as renewable fuel for green energy production. The bioethanol is dehydrated over a proprietary catalyst to produce high quality ethylene used for plastics, chemical and biofuel production. The water produced in the reaction is fully recycled back into the process requiring minimum freshwater and effluent generation. This paper presents a low cost, efficient and integrated biorefinery concept for non-food biomass crops and waste biomass conversion into low carbon bio ethylene - the foundation of the global chemical industry for biofuels, plastics and bio-based chemicals production. These biorefineries efficiently utilize either separately or a combination of low grade biomass crops (such as non-edible corn) and/or Cellulosic Biomass waste as feedstocks to produce multiple products such as High Protein Animal Nutrition Feed and Corn Oil (in case of non-edible biomass corn feedstock)ONLY the waste starch and fiber residues converted into low carbon EthanolBiogenic CO2 produced during ethanol fermentation is of high purity and can be used for multiple applicationsThe bioethanol once produced becomes a platform for production of BIOETHYLENE - the heart of the chemical industry – which can be converted further into biofuels such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) as well as downstream renewable chemicals