Abrasion-Resistant Membranes for Biomass Hydrolysate Clarification

79392S The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuel ethanol is not yet economically competitive with the conversion of cornstarch to ethanol. The economics of lignocellulosic conversion could be improved if a wider range of high-value-added products could be produced by processing separate sugar streams. The separation of sugars from the hydrolysate mixture would involve advanced liquid-liquid separation processes. In order to minimize plugging and/or fouling of these advanced separation techniques, suspended solids in the hydrolysates produced from lignocellulosic biomass must be removed. Therefore, this project will develop corrosion and abrasion-resistant silicon carbide membranes for the separation of particulate and colloidal matter from hydrolysates generated during the processing of lignocellulosic biomass. In Phase I, laboratory-scale silicon carbide monoliths will be coated with a novel abrasion-resistant silicon carbide microfiltration membrane. The samples will be performance tested with biomass hydrolysate and then subjected to abrasion testing using a corundum suspension. Feasibility will be considered proven if the membrane shows high and stable process flux when processing hydrolysate and does not show any significant changes in process performance or microstructure after abrasion. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Commercial applications for abrasion-resistant silicon carbide microfiltration membranes should include the clarification of lignocellulosic and cornstarch hydrolysate, raw sugar juice, and fuel ethanol stillage. The membranes should have longer useful lifetimes than other ceramic and polymeric membranes on the market and would be much less expensive than other inorganic membranes. These membranes should have a lower lifecycle cost than polymeric membranes used for these or similar applications.