Virtual Sugarcane Biorefinery
This facility consists of a platform that allows the assessment of economic and environmental impacts of technological routes in the context of biorefineries using renewable feedstock, with a special focus on sugarcane. Therefore, it can be used to measure the stage of development of new technologies, as well as to identify technological bottlenecks to promote its economic competitiveness and improve its environmental benefits. Among the technologies already evaluated by the Virtual Sugarcane Biorefinery are ethanol production from fermentable sugars and lignocellulosic materials, products derived from green chemistry, and electricity from biomass.
As the VSB considers the integration of the entire production chain (from the production of biomass to the use of products) and the evaluation in the three axes of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social), this platform is unique in the world.
This platform combines mathematical models and computational simulation tools for customized assessments, which integrate agricultural and industrial production systems. To this end, standardized and consolidated assessment methodologies are employed, such as Techno-economic Analysis (TEA) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Main features and techniques available:
- Modeling and simulation of agricultural processes;
- Modeling and simulation of industrial processes;
- Life Cycle Assessment of biofuels, bioproducts, and biomaterials;
- Techno-economic analysis of production chains integrated with the production of biofuels.
Start of operations: in 2010 and 2015 for external users.