Optimizing the use of inedible maize in the design of an ethanol production plant in Heilongjiang, China

This paper adapts the ethanol model developed by Aldonza and Blanchard by applying it to maize feedstock in China. Part of the reasoning for this is according to the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 20182, the proven oil reserves in China only accounted for 1.5% of the world reserves in 2017. Meanwhile, Chinese energy demand has soared as a result of rapid economic growth. Dependence on imported oil and serious environmental pollution have forced the government to give priority to energy security issues and actively develop its renewable energy industries. China is a populous country with around 40% of the population living in rural areas. It might be significantly important for the goal of sustainable energy to establish self-sufficient bioethanol manufacturing plants in areas with high agricultural output. This study will predict the potential of an inedible maize-based ethanol plant in a rural area of Heilongjiang Province, China, which can save on transportation costs as well as a benefiting from a large source of raw materials, consisting of degraded stored maize kernels and maize cobs. The estimated operating time is 20 years and the annual throughput of maize is 3650 tons. The prospective ethanol yield is 1800 litres/day with a yield of 0.18 litres per kilogram of maize kernels. Meanwhile, solar energy would be fully utilized to exchange heat with the puree to reach the chemical reaction temperature. The double enzyme process and three consecutive processes of fermentation is used in the ethanol production system. It is concluded that the plant model would recover investment funds in 6 years under government’s tax incentives. The sensitivity analysis for estimated cash flows indicated that the annual yield and retail price of ethanol to be the highest risks of this enterprise.