Feasibility of Commercialization of a Pre-Pretreatment Process for Enhanced Biomass Saccharification

In an economy based on renewable resources, plant biomass can provide a sustainable feedstock for future ¿biorefineries,¿ partially replacing conventional petrochemical refineries. Toward this objective, this project addresses the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass to generate sugars and lignin, which form the precursors for producing biofuels and value added chemicals. Specifically, the approach involves the development of a novel pretreatment method that is efficient and yet facile with regards to the severity of the operating parameters. In Phase I, the viability of this pretreatment method was demonstrated, and the unique features that distinguish this method from several leading pretreatment methods were identified. Phase II will focus on the scale up and techno-economic optimization of this promising pretreatment method, with special emphasis on the development of techniques that facilitate the recovery of the biomass components. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Successful scale up of the technology should enable the cost-competitive production of sugars and lignin from biomass, which in turn could tremendously increase the commercialization prospects of cellulosic ethanol, as well as other biofuels and products.