Lignocellulose Hydrolysis
Lignocellulosic biomass, primarily comprised of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, is an abundant and renewable resource that holds great promise as a source of biofuels and renewable biobased chemicals and biomaterials. Lignocellulosic biomass can be processed in a number of ways, one is through the hydrolysis of the structural polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose) into their constituent sugars, a reaction commonly facilitated by acid or enzymes, followed by the fermentation of these sugars by yeast or other microorganisms.Acid Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis of lignocellulose can be catalysed with acids. These can be used in either dilute or concentrated forms, with each approach having its own advantages and disadvantages.Concentrated-Acid Process
Concentrated acid hydrolysis, unlike its dilute counterpart, involves the use of acids in high concentrations to disrupt and hydrolyse the complex polysaccharides (cellulose and hemicellulose) present in lignocellulosic biomass into simpler, fermentable, sugars. The most commonly used acid in this process is sulphuric acid due to its strong acidity, but other types of acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid) can be used.Effect of Process Conditions
The efficiency and output of concentrated acid hydrolysis are heavily influenced by several key process variables, detailed below:Advantages
Disadvantages
1. Understanding Your Requirements
2. Detailed Feedstock Analysis
3. Hemicellulose Hydrolysis
4. Cellulose Hydrolysis
5. Downstream Processing
6. Product Recovery
7. Valorisation of Remaining Biomass
8. Validation at Higher TRLs
9. Technoeconomic Analysis (TEA)
PhD
Has a deep understanding of all biological and chemical aspects of bioproceses. Has developed Celignis into a renowned provider of bioprocess development services to a global network of clients.
PhD
A dynamic, purpose-driven chemical engineer with expertise in bioprocess development, process design, simulation and techno-economic analysis over several years in the bioeconomy sector.
PhD (Analytical Chemistry)
Dreamer and achiever. Took Celignis from a concept in a research project to being the bioeconomy's premier provider of analytical and bioprocessing expertise.