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Conversion of biomass to sugars via ionic liquid hydrolysis: process synthesis and economic evaluation
Author(s) -
Sen S. Murat,
Binder Joseph B.,
Raines Ronald T.,
Maravelias Christos T.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
biofuels, bioproducts and biorefining
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.931
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1932-1031
pISSN - 1932-104X
DOI - 10.1002/bbb.1336
Subject(s) - lignocellulosic biomass , biomass (ecology) , corn stover , raw material , biofuel , pulp and paper industry , environmentally friendly , environmental science , ionic liquid , biorefinery , fossil fuel , hydrolysis , chemistry , sugar , biochemical engineering , waste management , organic chemistry , engineering , catalysis , agronomy , ecology , biology
Replacement of fossil fuels with new sustainable resources is becoming crucial due to depleting petroleum reserves, increasing global energy demand, and arising environmental concerns. Lignocellulosic biomass can be an alternative to fossil resources as a sustainable and environmentally friendly feedstock for producing chemicals and fuels. One of the major challenges of biomass‐based technologies is to extract sugars that are covalently trapped inside the lignocellulosic biomass efficiently. Recently, ionic liquids (ILs) have been recognized as promising solvents for mild and rapid hydrolysis of biomass feedstocks with higher sugar yields. In this study, we first develop and then evaluate an IL‐based biomass hydrolysis strategy for large‐scale production of fermentable sugars from corn stover. Toward this aim, we develop a process simulation model based on the experimental studies reported by Binder and Raines ( P Natl Acad Sci USA 107: 4516–4521(2010)) and a simulated‐moving‐bed (SMB) system. We identify that the major cost driver is the IL cost. Our analysis suggests that process alternatives with lower IL consumption and/or separation strategies that would allow higher recycle of ILs should be studied. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd