ENHANCED ETHANOL FERMENTATION USING BIODIGESTATE

摘要

Methods and systems for enhancing ethanol production using a suspending fluid are described. The suspending fluid includes organic material that has at least partially been anaerobically digested and anaerobic microorganisms, and is substantially free of non-anaerobic microorganisms. Also described are methods and systems for hydrolyzing a feedstock for fermentation that include hydrolyzing a feedstock suspension. The feedstock suspension can include feedstock that includes complex sugars, and a suspending fluid, wherein the suspending fluid includes organic material that has at least partially been anaerobically digested and anaerobic microorganisms, and is substantially free of non-anaerobic microorganisms.

主权项

1. A method for producing ethanol, comprising:
(1) adding a suspending fluid to a feedstock to produce a fermentation suspension, wherein the suspending fluid comprises an organic material that has at least partially been anaerobically digested; (2) adjusting the pH of the fermentation suspension, if necessary, to a value conductive for fermentation; and (3) fermenting the fermentation suspension to produce ethanol, wherein the suspending fluid is substantially free of (exogenously added) fresh water or nutrient supplement.