Modelling the value of a rural biorefinery – part II: analysis and implications

This paper describes a system analysis and profitability evaluation of integrated biorefinery systems in the UK. The profitability of wheat/rape biorefineries is studied using appropriate data for the Eastern Counties of England. The model used analyses the process sequences from harvesting and transporting through to various storage and fractionation lines, determining the optimum profit of the system. The biorefinery systems are compared with conventional grain and straw harvesting situations, analysing the added value of such systems. A wholecrop wheat biorefinery is shown to be profitable when it includes processes of straw milling or enzymatic extraction. This system produces increased value products such as dietary fibre and bakery syrup from grain or internode chip/fibre from the straw. No rape biorefinery analysed is profitable.