Abstract:
A simple process for converting lignocellulosic biomass into fermentation products is disclosed. Biomass may be subjected to a steam or hot-water soak to dissolve hemicelluloses. This step is followed by mechanical refining, such as in a hot-blow refiner, of the cellulose-rich (and lignin-rich) solids. The refined solids are then enzymatically hydrolyzed to generate sugars. Certain embodiments provide a process for producing ethanol, comprising: digesting a cellulosic biomass feedstock with steam or hot water to produce cellulose-rich solids, hemicellulose oligomers, and lignin; conveying the digested stream through a blow-line refiner; separating a vapor from the refined stream; introducing the refined stream to an enzymatic hydrolysis unit to produce sugars; fermenting the sugars to produce ethanol in dilute solution; and concentrating the dilute solution to produce an ethanol product. Enzymes and microorganisms may be introduced at various points in the process. The invention may be applied to any other fermentation product.
Abstract:
Continuous processes for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to oxygenated hydrocarbonaceous products, in particular lower alkanols, are disclosed in which nutrients, including micronutrients, and lower carboxylate anion are recovered from at least a portion of an aqueous distillation fraction from a distillation unit operation to recover lower alkanols by using a "tight" ultrafiltration membrane. At least about 75 percent of the water permeates the ultrafiltration membrane. The tight ultrafiltration membrane rejects sufficient components that are adverse to the microorganisms used in the bioconversion that continuous fermentation operations over long durations can be achieved.
Abstract:
A method for fermenting carbohydrate-rich crops is provided. Sugar beet, sugar cane, sweet sorghum, tropical maize hybrids and fruits are rich in simple sugars; potato, sweet potato, cassava and yam are rich in starch; and Jerusalem artichoke is rich in inulin. This method uses vacuum infusion to infuse yeast into the intercellular space (apoplast) of the parenchyma tissue. The simple sugars diffuse into the apoplast, come into contact with the yeast and produce ethanol. Ethanol can be extracted from the crop by vacuum stripping or crushing or can be left inside the starchy crop to preserve it. In some variants, pectinase enzymes degrade the parenchyma cell walls to speed up diffusion of simple sugars to the yeast, speed up diffusion of amylase to starch granules or speed up diffusion of inulinase to insoluble inulin.
Abstract:
The present technology provide a method of dewatering whole stillage. The addition of a xylanase in combination with a pectinase results in a wet cake with a higher dry mass. The advantage here is less energy consumption while drying.
Abstract:
The disclosure provides a process for producing fluff pulp and ethanol from sugarcane bagasse or straw, comprising: fractionating the feedstock in the presence of an acid catalyst, a solvent for lignin, and water, to generate a solid/liquid slurry comprising cellulose-rich solids, hemicelluloses, and lignin; separating the solid/liquid slurry into a solid stream and a liquid stream; further treating the cellulose-rich solids to produce fluff pulp; hydrolyzing the hemicelluloses to generate hemicellulose monomers; and fermenting at least a portion of the hemicellulose monomers to cellulosic ethanol. Lignin is removed from the process during one or more steps and combusted to provide energy for process requirements. The process is integrated with, and provides energy to, a first-generation process that ferments sugarcane-derived sucrose to first-generation ethanol. Similar processes are possible with energy cane, corn, and other crops.
Abstract:
Lactic acid bacterial cultures, cell populations and articles of manufacture comprising same are disclosed for generating ethanol from lignocellulse.
Abstract:
Nucleic acid sequences encoding chimeric polypeptides that exhibit enhanced cellulase activities are disclosed herein. These nucleic acids may be expressed in hosts such as fungi, which in turn may be cultured to produce chimeric polypeptides. Also disclosed are chimeric polypeptides and their use in the degradation of cellulosic materials.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a process for the hydrolysis of biomass as well as the saccharide-containing permeate product and the protein-containing product produced by this process. In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for the production of organic compounds from the saccharide-containing product. In an additional aspect the present invention is directed to the use of the protein-containing product for the production of a fermentation medium.