Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 5460: Assessing the Feasibility of Enzymatic Biodiesel Production Using the 5W2H Framework: A Brazilian Case Study with Distiller’s Corn Oil

Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 5460: Assessing the Feasibility of Enzymatic Biodiesel Production Using the 5W2H Framework: A Brazilian Case Study with Distiller’s Corn Oil

Energies doi: 10.3390/en18205460

Authors:
Victor Hugo Souza de Abreu
Mariane Gonzalez da Costa
Tássia Faria de Assis
Márcio de Almeida D’Agosto
Rejane Silva Rocha
Luís Otávio Días de Paula
Arsénio Massautso Simoco Laissone

This study adopts the 5W2H management tool to investigate the opportunities and challenges of enzymatic biodiesel production from residual oils. The methodological approach enables a structured evaluation of technical, economic, environmental, and governance aspects, clarifying critical conditions for feasibility and scalability. To illustrate this framework, the research applies it to the Brazilian biofuel sector, focusing on the valorization of Distillers Corn Oil (DCO), a by-product of corn ethanol production not intended for human consumption. Results show that enzymatic conversion of DCO can reduce feedstock costs by more than 50% and energy demand by up to 86.8% compared with conventional chemical processes. Nevertheless, the scalability of this technology faces critical barriers, such as enzyme costs, reaction times, and regulatory uncertainties. The study concluded that public–private partnerships and targeted policies, such as those under Brazil’s National Biodiesel Program (PNPB), are essential to overcoming these challenges and bridging the “valley of death” toward commercialization. By combining technical, economic, and governance perspectives, the study demonstrates that DCO-based enzymatic biodiesel has the potential to reinforce Brazil’s role in the global biofuels market while promoting a circular and sustainable energy transition.