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Methods and systems for saccharification of biomass

  • US 8,563,277 B1
  • Filed: 11/27/2012
  • Issued: 10/22/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of producing a composition comprising C5 and C6 saccharides and low levels of an inhibitor compound from a biomass composition comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, and/or lignocellulose, the method comprising:

  • (a) pretreating the biomass composition comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, and/or lignocellulose to produce a pretreated biomass composition comprising a mixture of solid particles, wherein at least 50% of the solid particles are less than 1.5 mm in a dimension, and C5 monosaccharides and/or disaccharides in a yield that is at least 50% of a theoretical maximum, wherein pretreating produces low levels of the inhibitor compound and comprises;

    (i) hydration of the biomass composition in an acid medium to produce a hydrated biomass composition,(ii) mechanical size reduction of the hydrated biomass composition to produce the mixture of solid particles, and(iii) heating the hydrated biomass composition for a time sufficient to produce the pretreated biomass composition comprising C5 monosaccharides and/or disaccharides in the yield that is at least 50% of the theoretical maximum while producing low levels of the inhibitor compound; and

    (b) hydrolyzing the pretreated biomass composition with one or more enzymes for a time sufficient to produce the composition comprising C5 and C6 saccharides and low levels of the inhibitor compound.

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