IMPROVED METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GLUCOSE FROM LIGNOCELLULOSIC FEEDSTOCKS

摘要

A method for producing glucose from a lignocellulosic feedstock is provided. The method comprises pretreating the lignocellulosic feedstock with acid to produce a pretreated feedstock composition. A calcium-containing stream is provided that comprises calcium that is obtained from the lignocellulosic feedstock and a calcium carbonate-containing stream is obtained by precipitation of the calcium from the calcium-containing stream. The pH of the pretreated feedstock is adjusted with (a) the calcium carbonate-containing stream; (b) a calcium hydroxide-containing stream that is derived from said calcium carbonate-containing stream by subjecting said calcium carbonate-containing stream to calcination; or (c) a combination of the calcium carbonate-containing stream and the calcium hydroxide-containing stream. The pH adjustment results in a neutralized pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock having a pH between about 3 and about 9 and enzymatic hydrolysis of the neutralized, pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock is then conducted with cellulase enzymes to produce the glucose.