Improved Hydrolysis for Producing Biofuels From Biomass

Abstract

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed technologies that provide a more efficient and inexpensive method of making fermentable sugars for mass-producing ethanol and other uses, such as food additives and flavorings. The inventors have found that combining and agitating a solid acid material with cellulose-containing material results in a high yield of soluble sugars. Thus, companies such as biorefineries can break down a wide range of biomass materials, including switchgrass, wood, paper, agricultural residues, industrial solid wastes and herbaceous crops.

In contrast to other hydrolysis processes, the UCF approach does not require high temperatures, high pressures, strong acid solutions, or added water to convert cellulosic materials into commercially relevant compounds. The approach also produces less waste, is insensitive to feedstock, and provides scalable product pathways. It can be integrated into existing biorefineries, converting them into multi-feedstock and multi-product facilities.

Technical Details

The UCF technologies comprise methods, a composition, and solid reaction products. One method uses a mill to grind and agitate the cellulose-containing material with a solid acid (such as clay, aluminosilicate or silicates) into soluble sugars. The process provides the kinetic energy needed to drive the hydrolysis reaction, and the solid acid material’s surface acidity helps break down the glycosidic bonds of the cellulose material. When the solid acid material has sufficient existing water content, no additional water is needed.

Since the process is not specific to lignin and hemicellulose content, it can be applied using any cellulosic biomass source. Thus, it is a viable alternative to using edible biomass (such as corn) for ethanol production or less efficient existing processes for specialty chemical production. Inexpensive materials, such as kaolinite clay, can be used. Kaolinite is reusable, safe for the environment, and does not require toxic solvents. Other examples include halloysite, attapulgite, montmorillonite, nacrite, dickite, and anauxite.

The methods create solid reaction products comprising at least three compounds from the following: cellobiose, xylose, glucose, fructose, levoglucosan, levoglucosenone, furfural, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, a valuable component used by the food industry for additives and flavorings.

Partnering Opportunity
The research team is seeking partners for licensing, research collaboration, or both.

Stage of Development
Prototype available.

Benefit

Market Application

Publications

• Mechanocatalysis for biomass-derived chemicals and fuels, Green Chemistry, 12 (2010) 468-474
• Mechanochemically enhanced synthesis of isomorphously substituted kaolinites, Applied Clay Science, 52 (2011) 386-391
• Mechanical and Combined Chemical and Mechanical Treatment of Biomass,  Production of Biofuels and Chemicals with Ultrasound, Biofuels and Biorefineries, 2015, Springer Netherlands. p. 269-288
• Comparison of shaking versus baking: further understanding the energetics of a mechanochemical reaction, Green Chemistry, 2014. 16(3): p. 1628-1632