UPFLOW HYDROLYSIS REACTOR SYSTEM FOR HYDROLYZING CELLULOSE
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Abstract
A process for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to produce a hydrolysis product from a pre-treated cellulosic feedstock is provided. The process comprises introducing an aqueous slurry of the pre-treated cellulosic feedstock at the bottom of a hydrolysis reactor. Axial dispersion in the reactor is limited by avoiding mixing and maintaining an average slurry flow velocity of about 0.1 to about 20 feet per hour, such that the undissolved solids flow upward at a rate slower than that of the liquid. Cellulase enzymes are added to the aqueous slurry before or during the step of introducing. An aqueous stream comprising hydrolysis product and unhydrolyzed solids is removed from the hydrolysis reactor. Also provided are enzyme compositions which comprise cellulase enzymes and flocculents for use in the process. In addition, a kit comprising cellulase enzymes and flocculent is provided.
36 Citations
66 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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3-47. -47. (canceled)
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50-57. -57. (canceled)
- 58. A system for hydrolyzing cellulose to glucose, cellobiose, glucose oligomers, or a combination thereof, the system comprising a feedstock slurry supply line in fluid communication with an input to an upflow hydrolysis reactor, a solids-liquid separator in fluid communication with the upflow hydrolysis reactor and comprising a first output for withdrawing a slurry comprising unhydrolyzed solids and a second output for withdrawing a stream comprising hydrolysis product, the hydrolysis product comprising glucose, cellobiose, glucose oligomers, or a combination thereof, wherein the feedstock supply line, the upflow hydrolysis reactor, or both the feedstock supply line and the upflow hydrolysis reactor, comprise an enzyme composition comprising cellulase enzymes and one or more than one flocculent.
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66-68. -68. (canceled)
Specification