Tower reactors for bioconversion of lignocellulosic material

Patent · Tue Mar 30 04:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:335433

Nguyen, Q A

An apparatus is described for enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of pretreated lignocellulosic material, in the form of a tower bioreactor, having mixers to achieve intermittent mixing of the material. Precise mixing of the material is important for effective heat and mass transfer requirements without damaging or denaturing the enzymes or fermenting microorganisms. The pretreated material, generally in the form of a slurry, is pumped through the bioreactor, either upwards or downwards, and is mixed periodically as it passes through the mixing zones where the mixers are located. For a thin slurry, alternate mixing can be achieved by a pumping loop which also serves as a heat transfer device. Additional heat transfer takes place through the reactor heat transfer jackets. 5 figs.

• Research Organization: Midwest Research Institute
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-83CH10093
• Assignee: NREL; SCA: 090900; PA: EDB-99:044671; SN: 99002077311
• Patent Number(s): US 5,888,806/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-878,037
• OSTI ID: 335433
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
BIOREACTORS
CELLULOSE
DESIGN
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS
FERMENTATION
HEAT TRANSFER
LIGNIN
MASS TRANSFER
MIXING