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Hydrothermolysis of biomass-ethanol fermentation of hydrothermal solutions with Saccharomyces carlsbergensis W 34

Conference · · Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)
OSTI ID:6205212
Research on alternative energy sources and raw materials is gaining in importance owing to the increasing shortage of energy carriers and petrochemicals. Hydrothermolysis of lignocellulosic biomass (e.g., wood, straw) degrades the high molecular substrate into low molecular compounds (sugars, furfurals, phenols etc.). In this process water dissolves hemicellulose at approximately 180/sup 0/ C, cellulose at approximately 270/sup 0/ C, and lignin at about 300/sup 0/ C, without the addition of any chemicals / 1-4/. Over 50% of the cellulose thus hydrolyzed can be fermented to ethanol by saccharomyces carlsbergensis W 34. To obtain these results it was necessary to carry out basic fermentation experiments on the inhibition of certain by-products such as lignin compounds, glyceraldehyde, methylglyoxal etc.. On the basis of these experiments, the optimum conditions for the fermentation to ethanol of hydrothermally treated pure cellulose (filter paper), cotton with and without impurities, waste cotton from textile manufacture, and straw, were examined.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Innsbruck, Innsbruck
OSTI ID:
6205212
Report Number(s):
CONF-831205-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English