Abstract This study undertakes an exhaustive evaluation of the economics, and process efficiencies in producing bioethanol from sugarcane, cassava, and yam within the Colombian context. Non-conventional starchy crops were considered in this study with low agronomical technicity and high starch content. Gasification technology was considered an alternative to steam systems for energy coproduction. The simulation of ethanol production was carried out in Aspen Plus V9®. Numerical models were obtained via Response surface method (RSM) for economic response evaluation depending on feedstock price and applied tax rate. Sugarcane remains the superior feedstock, with a net present value (NPV) of (22, 211, 942. 44). Cassava and yam, despite facing several challenges leading to negative NPVs of (499, 753, 466. 22) and (173, 103, 763. 14) respectively, exhibited commendable ethanol yields and the capacity for electricity co-production. The study revealed an electricity production potential of up to 171. 330 kWh for yam, compared to 151. 020 kWh for sugarcane. Achieving a positive electric balance remains a challenge, with the best-case scenario being sugarcane at 77% electric supply of its requirements. While sugarcane remains the predominant choice for bioethanol production in Colombia (0. 68 USD/l), cassava (2. 28 USD/l) and yam (1. 11 USD/l) present viable alternatives under strategic enhancements in agricultural productivity and cost management.
Villar et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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