Development, kinetic analysis, and economic feasibility of different Corn Stover-driven biorefineries to produce biohydrogen, bioethanol, and biomethane: A comparative analysis

The purpose of the article is to design, evaluate, and compare four different pathways implemented in the Corn Stover-driven biorefineries. These pathways are based on biohydrogen production via Photo-fermentation (PFBHP) or dark fermentation (DFBHP), biomethane production (BMP), and bioethanol production (BEP). A comprehensive examination and analysis of the mentioned pathways in terms of the kinetic properties, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic feasibility was developed. The research problem addressed is the lack of a comprehensive, comparative analysis of these pathways under consistent conditions, limiting informed decision-making for large-scale biorefinery implementation. The maximum outputs of the PFBHP, DFBHP, BMP, and BEP pathways were around 68.5 mL per gram DM (dry matter) at 25 g DM per Liter, 48.0 mL per gram DM at 25 g DM per Liter, 0.19 L per gram DM at 4 % TS, and 0.05 g per gram DM at 55 g DM per Liter. Additionally, the BMP pathway achieved the maximum energy output, peaking at around 7.02 kJ/g DM under 4 % TS. Further, the PFBHP pathway emerged as high-economic value method, with the peak economic value being 0.20 US$ per kg DM. The PFBHP and DFBHP methods were environmentally favorable, emitting no greenhouse gases.