METHOD OF PRODUCING SUGARS USING STRONG ACID HYDROLYSIS OF CELLULOSIC AND HEMICELLULOSIC MATERIALS

摘要

An economically viable method for producing sugars using concentrated acid h ydrolysis of biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed. The cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass a re first decrystallized and then hydrolysed to produce a hydrolysate containing both sugars and acid. Silica present in the biomass c an then be removed for further processing. The remainin g solids are then subjected to a second decrystallization and hydrolyzation to optimize the sugar yields. An improved method for separ ating the sugars from the acid in the hydrolysate is also disclosed. The resulting sugar stream can then be fermented, using an improved m ethod which allows both hexose and pentose sugars to be fermented simultaneously.< /SDOAB>