Cellulosic ethanol byproducts as a bulking agent

Financial enhancement of biomass value prior to pulping requires subsequent use of remaining materials; e.g., high value use of remaining stock material after cellulosic ethanol production would improve the economics for cellulosic ethanol. In this work, use of enzymatic hydrolysis residual solids (EHRS), a cellulosic ethanol byproduct, were investigated as a bulking agent. The study examined the effect across several grammages, 20 g/m2 –200 g/m2, and EHRS substitution levels, 10%, 15%, and 20%. EHRS retention was examined with light scattering. EHRS loading increased bulk while reducing tensile strength, compression strength, and stiffness.