Bioethanol Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass Requiring No Sulfuric Acid: Mechanochemical Pretreatment and Enzymic Saccharification

Abstract

Bioethanol has become an important product recently. Manufacture depends on sugar or starch, but such processes conflict with the requirements for food supply. Lignocellulose has high potential as feedstock for bioethanol, and has been the focus of much research and development. Sulfuric acid is generally used for saccharification or pretreatment of lignocellulose, but we have developed a saccharification process not requiring sulfuric acid, which is more environment friendly, combining mechanochemical pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification processes. We studied the process design, and presented the technical and economical portfolio. Based on this portfolio, we developed low energy mechanochemical treatment and low cost saccharification processes. The commercialization of our system is expected to begin soon.