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System for fermentation of biomass for the production of ethanol

  • US 8,815,552 B2
  • Filed: 03/03/2010
  • Issued: 08/26/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for producing a fermentation product in a fermentation system from a biomass comprising the steps of:

  • (i) pre-treating the biomass with an aqueous composition comprising an effective concentration of acid for reducing formation of inhibitors at a temperature of about 130°

    C. to about 170°

    C. for a period of time sufficient to produce a solids component and an aqueous component, which aqueous component comprises xylose and acetic acid;

    (ii) supplying the aqueous component to the fermentation system;

    (iii) providing yeast to the fermentation system in a concentration in the range from 5 to less than 150 grams of yeast on a dry basis per liter of the aqueous component, wherein the yeast can ferment the xylose into the fermentation product;

    (iv) maintaining the aqueous component and yeast in the fermentation system at a temperature of between about 26°

    C. and about 37°

    C. and at a pH of between about 4.5 and about 6.0 for a time of no less than 18 hours; and

    (v) recovering the fermentation product from the fermentation system;

    wherein the biomass comprises lignocellulosic material.

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