Jin Yayuan, Illukpitiva Prabodh

A major hurdle facing commercial biofuel production is the cost of producing the feedstock. Since biofuel feedstock is bulky in nature, a large proportion of cost needed to be allocated for harvesting and transportation of feedstock. Economic viability of ethanol production from cellulosic feedstock depends in part of the cost to produce, harvest and deliver feedstock to the ethanol production facilities. The objectives of the study are to determine the optimal harvesting unit for ethanol biorefinery and estimate harvesting, storage and transportation costs of switchgrass under various harvesting schedules.