Simultaneous production of bio-ethanol and bleached pulp from red algae.
The red algae, Gelidium corneum, was used to produce bleached pulp for papermaking and ethanol. Aqueous extracts obtained at 100-140 °C were subjected to saccharification, purification, fermentation, and distillation to produce ethanol. The solid remnants were bleached with chlorine dioxide and peroxide to make pulp. In the extraction process, sulfuric acid and sodium thiosulfate were added to increase the extract yield and to improve de-polymerization of the extracts, as well as to generate high-quality pulp. An extraction process incorporating 5% sodium thiosulfate by dry weight of the algae provided optimal production conditions for the production of both strong pulp and a high ethanol yield. These results suggest that it might be possible to utilize algae instead of trees and starch for pulp and ethanol production, respectively.
Dept. of Bio Environmental Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejun 305 764, Yousung-Gu, Gung-Dong, 220, Republic of Korea. mhyoon@cnu.ac.kr
Min Ho
MH
Yoon
Yoon Woo
YW
Lee
Chun Han
CH
Lee
Yung Bum
YB
Seo
D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis*; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D057886:Bleaching Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation / Q000187:drug effects; D005662:Furaldehyde / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D005690:Galactose / Q000494:pharmacology; D006868:Hydrolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D019815:Oxalic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000187:drug effects; D010209:Paper; D011312:Pressure; D000461:Rhodophyta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D056804:Biofuels; D057886:Bleaching Agents; D000431:Ethanol; C008046:5-hydroxymethylfurfural; D019815:Oxalic Acid; D005662:Furaldehyde; D005690:Galactose