The aim of this study is to develop conceptual process designs
to compare different possible process routes for industrial scale
biobutanol production from sugarcane molasses in South Africa.
These process designs are captured in AspenPlus process models
(Aspen Icarus 2006) and each evaluated for economic viability
using the IcarusPlus software package (Aspen Plus 2006). Higher
oil prices, low feedstock cost (molasses), and improved strains
and technology, will facilitate improvement on previous biobutanol
production processes, anticipating an economic viable process
able to compete with synthetic butanol.