Preliminary results on optimization of pilot scale pretreatment of wheat straw used in coproduction of bioethanol and electricity.
The overall objective in this European Union-project is to develop cost and energy effective production systems for coproduction of bioethanol and electricity based on integrated biomass utilization. A pilot plan reactor for hydrothermal pretreatment (including weak acid hydrolysis, wet oxidation, and steam pretreatment) with a capacity of 100 kg/h was constructed and tested for pretreatment of wheat straw for ethanol production. Highest hemicellulose (C5 sugar) recovery and extraction of hemicellulose sugars was obtained at 190 degrees C whereas highest C6 sugar yield was obtained at 200 degrees C. Lowest toxicity of hydrolysates was observed at 190 degrees C; however, addition of H2O2 improved the fermentability and sugar recoveries at the higher temperatures. The estimated total ethanol production was 223 kg/t straw assuming utilisation of both C6 and C5 during fermentation, and 0.5 g ethanol/g sugar.
Thomsen
Mette Hedegaard
MH
Biosystems Department, Risø National Laboratory, POB 49, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark. mette.hedegaard.thomsen@risoe.dk
Thygesen
Anders
A
Jørgensen
Henning
H
Larsen
Jan
J
Christensen
Børge Holm
BH
Thomsen
Anne Belinda
AB
D002480:Cellulase / Q000737:chemistry*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D004560:Electricity; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D000431:Ethanol / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D010865:Pilot Projects; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry*; D011210:Power Plants / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011786:Quality Control; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry*
D000431:Ethanol; D002482:Cellulose; D002480:Cellulase