CONTINUOUS COUNTERCURRENT ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS OF PRETREATED BIOMASS AT HIGH SOLIDS CONCENTRATIONS

摘要

The invention provides a continuous process for enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated biomass, the process comprising: providing a pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material containing cellulose; introducing the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material to a mechanical-treatment unit containing one or more decompression regions configured to release pressure; introducing a liquid solution containing cellulase enzymes to one or more decompression regions in the mechanical-treatment unit, wherein the liquid solution enters void spaces between fibers of the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material, to form enzyme-containing cellulose-rich solids; and retaining the enzyme-containing cellulose-rich solids under effective hydrolysis conditions to hydrolyze at least some of the cellulose to glucose. Various apparatus configurations are disclosed for the mechanical-treatment unit.

主权项

1. A continuous process for enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated biomass, said process comprising:
(a) providing a pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material containing cellulose; (b) introducing said pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material to a mechanical-treatment unit containing one or more decompression regions configured to release pressure; (c) introducing a liquid solution containing cellulase enzymes to said one or more decompression regions in said mechanical-treatment unit, wherein said liquid solution enters void spaces between fibers of said pretreated lignocellulosic biomass feed material, to form enzyme-containing cellulose-rich solids; and (d) retaining said enzyme-containing cellulose-rich solids under effective hydrolysis conditions to hydrolyze at least some of said cellulose to glucose.