Agricultural crop residues sugarcane

The primary source of agroindustrial waste is residue from agricultural crops. The cultivation of wheaf, maize, rice, soybean, barley, rapeseed, sugarcane, and sugar beet results in the production of 3.3 Gt of agricultural waste per year. China, the United States, and India accoxmt for 60% of the crop residues produced (Bentsen and Felby, 2010). The level of agricultural waste production shows considerable differences over crop species, region of cultivation, and social, technical, and local factors (Lobell et al., 2009). 

The disadvantage of using starch as a raw material in comparison with oil-derived chemicals is the cost. Consider, for example, the conversion of starch into polyethylene via its fermentation to ethyl alcohol and subsequent dehydration of the latter [37], the maximum yield of ethylene produced from starch being close to 35%. However, the increase in oil prices and the ecological and political concerns associated with the oil-based economy could in the near future make starch a viable raw material along with other crops such as sugarcane and cellulose from wood and agricultural residues. 

It was estimated how much bioethanol can potentially be produced from starch, sugar crops, and agricultural residues. These crops include corn, barley, oat, rice, wheat, sorghum, and sugarcane (12). The potential yield of bioethanol from various biopolymers, i.e., crops is listed in Table 11.1. 

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