The economic feasibility and environmental impacts of simultaneous levulinic acid (LV) and hydrochar synthesis from cassava rhizome (CR) using H 2 SO 4 and HCl catalysts were investigated. In this study, CR was initially delignified with a KOH solution at 120 °C for 1 h, followed by conversion into LV and hydrochar using 0. 1–0. 7 M H 2 SO 4 at 175–225 °C for 1–3 h. The highest LV yield (15. 34 wt. %) and selectivity (84. 60%) were achieved at 225 °C for 2 h using a 0. 4 M H 2 SO 4. Characterization of the resulting hydrochar revealed fuel properties comparable to coal, indicating its potential as a coal substitute. Notably, the HCl-catalyzed process demonstrated superior economic feasibility, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 55. 76% and a minimum selling price of 21. 98/kg LV, attributed to its higher LV yield. Furthermore, LV produced via the HCl system exhibited a lower environmental impact (96. 75 kg CO 2 eq. /kg LV), highlighting the critical influence of catalyst selection on productivity, economic viability, and environmental sustainability. • Levulinic acid (LV) and hydrochar were produced from cassava rhizome (CR). • H 2 SO 4 catalytic hydrothermal process of CR achieved the highest LV yield of 15. 34%. • TEA and LCA of the LV production using either H 2 SO 4 or HCl were compared. • HCl-catalyzed process had superior economic and environmental feasibility. • Catalyst selection affected LV productivity, economic, and environmental impacts.
Nakason et al. (Sun,) studied this question.