Assessment of Bioethanol Production from Sugar Beet Pulp and Green Energy Potential in Türkiye

Abstract

In this study, the potential for converting sugar beet pulp a by product of sugar beet processing in Türkiye into energy is evaluated across three distinct scenarios. Using provincial level sugar beet production data, the amount of the resulting residue generated in each region was estimated. Based on lower heating values and conversion efficiencies reported in the literature, the electrical energy yield per metric ton of pulp was determined. By combining these unit values with annual production figures for each province, potential maps for bioethanol based electricity generation were developed at both provincial and regional scales. Additionally, the methods were assessed using normalized risk indicators covering environmental, technical, and economic dimensions, and their respective emissions were compared. Results show that although the bioethanol and Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell (DEFC) scenario yields lower energy output, it stands out as a sustainable alternative due to its low emission profile and balanced risk characteristics. The highest estimated production capacity was found in Konya at 66.69 GWh, followed by Eskişehir at 13.67 GWh. This study highlights sugar beet pulp as a valuable agricultural residue for bioethanol based green electricity generation in Türkiye and offers a quantitative regional framework to support biomass based energy planning. 

Keywords

• Bioethanol
• direct ethanol fuel cell
• renewable energy potential
• sugar beet pulp.

Türkiye’de Şeker Pancarı Posasından Biyoetanol Üretimi ve Yeşil Enerji Potansiyelinin Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, Türkiye'de şeker pancarı işlemenin bir yan ürünü olan şeker pancarı posasının enerjiye dönüştürülme potansiyeli üç farklı senaryo üzerinden değerlendirilmiştir. İl bazındaki şeker pancarı üretim verileri kullanılarak, her bölgede oluşan şeker pancarı posası miktarı tahmin edilmiştir. Literatürde bildirilen alt ısıl değerler ve dönüşüm verimlilikleri esas alınarak, bir metrik ton posa başına düşen elektrik enerjisi verimi belirlenmiştir. Bu birim değerlerin her ilin yıllık üretim rakamlarıyla birleştirilmesiyle, hem il hem de bölge ölçeğinde biyoetanol tabanlı elektrik üretimine yönelik potansiyel haritaları geliştirilmiştir. Ayrıca, yöntemler; çevresel, teknik ve ekonomik boyutları kapsayan normalize edilmiş risk göstergeleri kullanılarak değerlendirilmiş ve ilgili emisyon değerleri karşılaştırılmıştır. Sonuçlar, biyoetanol ve Doğrudan Etanol Yakıt Pili (DEFC) senaryosunun daha düşük enerji çıktısı vermesine rağmen, düşük emisyon profili ve dengeli risk özellikleri nedeniyle sürdürülebilir bir alternatif olarak öne çıktığını göstermektedir. En yüksek tahmini üretim kapasitesi 66,69 GWh ile Konya'da bulunmuş, bunu 13,67 GWh ile Eskişehir izlemiştir. Bu çalışma, şeker pancarı posasının Türkiye'de biyoetanol tabanlı yeşil elektrik üretimi için değerli bir tarımsal atık olduğunu vurgulamakta ve biyokütle tabanlı enerji planlamasını desteklemek için nicel bir bölgesel çerçeve sunmaktadır.

Keywords

• Biyoetanol
• doğrudan etanol yakıt pili
• yenilenebilir enerji potansiyeli
• şeker pancarı posası

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