Processes for extracting carbohydrates from biomass and converting the carbohydrates into biofuels

摘要

A process for extracting carbohydrates from biomass and creating bioalcohol from the extracted carbohydrates. Subjecting the biomass to acid or alkali hydrolysis in a first hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the first cavitated biomass to separate a first filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the first filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. Subjecting the biomass to enzymatic hydrolysis in a second hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the second cavitated biomass to separate a second filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the second filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. The first and second filtrates may be combined and fermented in a single step.

主权项

1. A process for creating bioalcohol from carbohydrates extracted from biomass comprising the steps of:
preparing the biomass for a first extraction of carbohydrates; forming a first biomass solution comprising the prepared biomass, water, and an acid or an alkali; subjecting the first biomass solution to a first hydrodynamic cavitation treatment, wherein acid or alkali hydrolysis of the biomass occurs; filtering the first biomass solution into a first filtrate and an intermediate biomass, wherein the first filtrate contains extracted carbohydrates; washing the intermediate biomass with water to remove the added acid or alkali and to prepare the intermediate biomass for a second extraction of carbohydrates; creating a second biomass solution comprising the washed intermediate biomass, water and an enzyme source; exposing the second biomass solution to a second hydrodynamic cavitation treatment, wherein enzymatic hydrolysis of the biomass occurs; filtering the second biomass solution into a second filtrate and a filtered biomass, wherein the second filtrate contains extracted carbohydrates; combining the first filtrate with a bacterial species and nutrients to form a first fermentation substrate; fermenting the first fermentation substrate to form a first bioalcohol; and separating the first bioalcohol from the first fermentation substrate using distillation, liquid-liquid extraction, or gas sparging.