New process converts cellulose waste into high Btu alcohol fuel
In the U.S. about 500 million tons of cellulose ends up in agricultural and municipal waste streams annually. Scientists at New York University have found a way to continuously convert waste cellulose such as sawdust and old newspapers into glucose sugar. It is reported that the process involves a twin-screen extruder and in a small pilot facility the extruder is continuously processing sawdust and newspapers at a rate of 200 pounds per hour. The resulting dark brown sludge contains 30% glucose that can be used to manufacture alcohol. The unreacted material, mainly lignin, can be burned for fuel. It is stated that there is enough energy in this secondary waste to run the alcohol fermentation and distillation process.
- OSTI ID:
- 6472644
- Journal Information:
- For. Prod. J.; (United States), Journal Name: For. Prod. J.; (United States) Vol. 30:8; ISSN FPJOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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New process converts sawdust into alcohol
Process to convert cellulose to glucose developed at NYU
Related Subjects
090400 -- Solid Waste & Wood Fuels-- (-1989)
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALCOHOL FUELS
BIOCONVERSION
CARBOHYDRATES
CELLULOSE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
CONVERSION
EXTRUSION
FABRICATION
FERMENTATION
FUELS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
LIGNIN
MATERIALS WORKING
MUNICIPAL WASTES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
OXIDATION
PAPER
PILOT PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
SYNTHETIC FUELS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTES