PROCESSES AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FERMENTABLE SUGARS FROM BIOMASS BY HOT-WATER EXTRACTION AND ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS

摘要

The present invention is capable of producing glucose and hemicellulose sugars from lignocellulosic biomass. In some variations, a process includes optionally pre-steaming a biomass feedstock; extracting the feedstock with liquid hot water to produce glucan-rich solids and an extract liquor containing dissolved solids, which include hemicellulosic oligomers and lignin; washing the glucan-rich solids; hydrolyzing the hemicellulosic oligomers by contacting the extract liquor with an acid catalyst or enzymes possessing hemicellulase activity; separately hydrolyzing the glucan by contacting the glucan-rich solids stream with an acid catalyst or enzymes possessing glucanase activity, optionally with removing the glucose in situ by microfiltration and/or ultrafiltration; and recovering or fermenting each of the hemicellulosic monomers and the glucose. Preferred configurations and conditions are disclosed.