Table 6

System performance metrics for economies of scale ratio and logistical mode scenarios

Liquid transport mode

EoSR

Metric

Units

Tanker

Pipeline

1.28

Ethanol cost

$₂₀₀₇ l_EtOH^-1

0.328

0.317

km

107

107

L:C ratio**

-

0.86

0.76

No. plants

-

1

1

Configuration

-

Integrated

Integrated

1.45

Ethanol cost

$₂₀₀₇ l_EtOH^-1

***

-

km

58

62

L:C ratio

-

0.34

0.58

No. plants

-

4

5

Configuration

-

Integrated

Decentralised

1.65

Ethanol cost

$₂₀₀₇ l_EtOH^-1

-

-

km

62

62

L:C ratio

-

0.69

0.59

No. plants

-

5

5

Configuration

-

Decentralised

Decentralised

*The average unit-biomass transport distance

**The ratio between logistics costs and process capital and operating costs

***Production costs for EoSR scenarios are not considered valid owing to distortions of relative and absolute component costs

Dunnett et al. Biotechnology for Biofuels 2008 1:13   doi:10.1186/1754-6834-1-13