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Title: Tower reactors for bioconversion of lignocellulosic material

Patent ·
OSTI ID:335433

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, Kansas City, MO (United States)
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
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 30 Mar 1999
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (2)

Continuous ethanol production by flocculating yeast in the fluidized bed bioreactor journal May 1994
Preliminary estimate of the cost of ethanol production for ssf technology journal March 1992