Solid acid catalyzed hydrolysis of cellulosic materials

摘要

Provided are methods for the solubilization of cellulose into soluble sugars without the need for high temperatures, high pressures, strong acid solutions, and/or added water. The produced sugars can be fermented into ethanol. In one embodiment, the method comprises contacting a cellulose-containing material with a solid acid material and agitating the cellulose-containing material and the solid acid material for a time sufficient to produce an aqueous solution comprising a quantity of soluble sugars.

主权项

1. A solid reaction product comprising catalytic products of reaction of a solid acid and a solid cellulose-containing material, wherein a combined free water content of the solid acid and solid cellulose-containing material is from about 8% to about 40% by weight, and wherein:
(i) at least 70 percent by weight of the solid reaction product collected immediately after the reaction between the solid acid and solid cellulose-containing material consists essentially of water soluble monosaccharides and disaccharides; and (ii) the solid reaction product, collected immediately after the reaction between the solid acid and solid cellulose-containing material, comprises a water content of less than or equal to 10 percent by weight.