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Integrated process modelling, optimization, and sustainability assessment for Eucalyptus leaves valorization via extraction technologies
One-line summary
A solar energy research paper on Integrated process modelling, optimization, and sustainability assessment for Eucalyptus leaves valorization via extraction technologies.
Engineering notes
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Chinese explanation / 中文解读
中文解读待补充：本站会优先为光伏效率、钙钛矿太阳能电池、储能技术、太阳能热利用、BIPV、并网技术等高价值论文补充中文说明。
Original abstract
The valorization of Eucalyptus leaves as lignocellulosic residues contributes to circular bioeconomy targets. Identifying the optimal extraction technology requires balancing complex thermodynamic, economic, and environmental trade-offs. This study systematically evaluates four extraction pathways integrated within a biorefinery framework: steam distillation (SD), hydroalcoholic extraction (EtOH-S), supercritical CO 2 ( SC − CO 2 ), and supercritical CO 2 with ethanol co-solvent ( SC − CO 2 –EtOH ). The assessment employs a hybrid modeling approach combining process simulation, mathematical formulations to represent non-ideal system behaviors, and optimization, followed by techno-economic and life cycle assessments. Results show the EtOH-S route is the most economically robust, achieving a 25% internal rate of return at a selling price of $5/kg (25% of the essential oil benchmark) due to its superior extraction yield, while the SC − CO 2 –EtOH route is economically unfeasible for this ($48/kg required) application. Conversely, SD and SC-CO₂ remain viable for high-purity niche markets. Under a baseline mass-based functional unit ( 1 kg extract), EtOH-S also dominates environmentally as its high yield dilutes upstream burdens, while SD exhibits the highest land-use impacts due to low extraction efficiency and high feedstock intensity. However, using a functionality-based functional unit ( 1 kg active essential oil equivalent) drastically shifts these dynamics. Due to its low target-compound purity, EtOH-S incurs massive inventory and processing scaling penalties while SD demonstrates the most balanced, practical, and eco-efficient option while operating safely within market price boundaries. Overall, EtOH-S provides the most balanced solution for bulk crude chemical valorization, whereas specialized techniques like SD are required when the biorefinery objective targets high-purity bioactive isolates.
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