ABSTRACT

Second Generation Bioethanol is typically produced from lignocellulosic

biomass, but it is also possible to use industrial byproducts or non-food crops as

feedstock. Conversion of lignocellulosic feedstock into bioethanol is an important choice

for the exploration of alternative energy sources and reduction of polluting gases. The

researchers came up to the idea of constructing a “Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Production

from Banana Pseudostem” prototype, that has some of the processes needed in producing

bioethanol. It can help fuel producers and consumers in extending the life of the

diminishing oil supplies and ensure greater fuel security, avoiding heavy reliance on oil

producing nations

This study was conducted to design a Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Production from

Banana Pseudostem prototype and compare the produced bioethanol with Philippine

National Standards (PNS 2013). To corroborate the objectives of the study, the

researchers used the parameters from previous studies which when used gives the highest

bioethanol yield.

Preparation of raw material requires several processes before feeding into the

machine. Drying comes first with a moisture content of 15%, then grinding into 1mm

mesh size, it will then proceed to chemical pretreatment for two days, and then washing

with distilled water for two hours. The treated biomass will be now fed to the machine,

specifically to the Simultaneous Saccharification & Fermentation (SSF) unit with a

mixture of mediums. The fermentation lasted for 7 days with 12% of yeast. After SSF,

the biomass will be pressed so only the liquid will remain and then it will pass through

the filter. Distillation for Latundan took 12 hours and Saba took 10 hours. The produced
bioethanol from Latundan was 203 mL and for Saba was 218 mL, giving a production

rate of 16.917 mL/hr and 21.80 mL/hr, respectively.

The results of the test conducted at the Department of Energy (DOE) shows some

discrepancies but are tolerable since the total acids (as acetic acid) % w/w of the

bioethanol from Latundan is 0.0021, while the Saba is 0.0026, both have passed the limit

of 0.007 as maximum tolerable amount; density at 20°C, kg/L maximum was 0.8071 for

Latundan and 0.8078 for Saba which are proximate to the maximum limit of 0.7915;

ethanol % content per v/v minimum is 95.2 for Latundan while 95.0 for the Saba which

are proximate to limit but still has to be improved to pass limit of 96.9-99.3 as a

minimum percentage requirement for fuel bioethanol; and water contents, % v/v, of 4.764

and 4.999, respectively should be improved because the minimum limit for water content

is 0.5 only.

It was recommended in the study to use other type of distillation process such as

water bath distillation to improve the moisture content of the yield and make a good

design for the agitator to make the agitation process more effective. Future researchers

should use other variety of a banana pseudostem for lignocellulosic bioethanol

production to know which part of a banana tree could be the best source of bioethanol.