High Xylose Yields from Dilute Acid Pretreatment of Corn Stover Under Process-Relevant Conditions

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-008-8490-y· OSTI ID:958221

Weiss, N D; Nagle, N J; Tucker, M P; Elander, R T

Pretreatment experiments were carried out to demonstrate high xylose yields at high solids loadings in two different batch pretreatment reactors under process-relevant conditions. Corn stover was pretreated with dilute sulfuric acid using a 4-l Steam Digester and a 4-l stirred ZipperClave{reg_sign} reactor. Solids were loaded at 45% dry matter (wt/wt) after sulfuric acid catalyst impregnation using nominal particle sizes of either 6 or 18 mm. Pretreatment was carried out at temperatures between 180 and 200 C at residence times of either 90 or 105 s. Results demonstrate an ability to achieve high xylose yields (>80%) over a range of pretreatment conditions, with performance showing little dependence on particle size or pretreatment reactor type. The high xylose yields are attributed to effective catalyst impregnation and rapid rates of heat transfer during pretreatment.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99GO10337
• OSTI ID: 958221
• Journal Information: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Journal Name: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Journal Issue: 1, 2009 Vol. 155; ISSN ABIBDL; ISSN 0273-2289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
Bioenergy
CATALYSTS
HEAT TRANSFER
IMPREGNATION
MAIZE
PARTICLE SIZE
PERFORMANCE
STEAM
SULFURIC ACID
XYLOSE