Method and apparatus for conversion of cellulosic material to ethanol
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion of cellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, to ethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuous hydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fibre fraction are produced. The fibre fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification. The method of the present invention comprises:
- performing the hydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soaking operation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurised reactor, and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fibre fraction and a liquid fraction;
- selecting the temperature and residence time for the hydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintained and at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fibre fraction.
29 Citations
30 Claims
-
1. (canceled)
-
2. (canceled)
-
3. (canceled)
-
4. (canceled)
-
5. (canceled)
-
6. (canceled)
-
7. (canceled)
-
8. (canceled)
-
9. (canceled)
-
10. (canceled)
-
11. (canceled)
-
12. (canceled)
-
13. (canceled)
-
14. (canceled)
-
15. (canceled)
-
16. (canceled)
-
17. (canceled)
-
18. (canceled)
-
19. (canceled)
-
20. (canceled)
-
21. A method of continuous hydrothermal pretreatment of cellulosic material comprising the steps of
conveying cellulosic feedstock through at least one pressurized reactor in such manner that the pressurized part of hydrothermal pretreatment is conducted at more than one set of temperature/pressure conditions, pressing the feedstock under pressurized conditions, thereby creating a fiber fraction and a liquid fraction, and unloading the liquid fraction from the pressurized reactor.
Specification