Author
ZHANG, LEI - Tsinghua University | |
LI, SHIZHONG - Tsinghua University | |
Liu, Zonglin |
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2011 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Corncobs are commonly used for xylose production at industrial scale, and the xylose-extracted corncob residue (X-ER), as a byproduct, is abundant and can serve as a potential energy resource. The X-ER is cellulose-rich and efforts to convert the cellulose fraction into ethanol have been attempted; however, a lack of understanding of characteristics of the substrate has led to unsatisfactory results. The present study characterized X-ER for its potential utilization in conjunction with the sequential production of xylose and cellulosic ethanol. We found that the current dilute acid treatment procedures used for corncobs by the xylose-production industry are insufficient for complete deconstruction of corncob cellulose. After a secondary dilute acid hydrolysis of the X-ER, more than 10% hemicellulose was recovered. A significantly higher yield of glucose conversion was also obtained compared with an untreated X-ER control. These results suggest X-ER can be utilized for cellulosic ethanol production; however, the current industry processed X-ER is not prepared for immediate application of economic ethanol production at industrial scale. Optimized process for economical xylose production which meets the requirements of the subsequent efficient cellulose-to-ethanol conversion are needed in order to establish a combined production of xylose and cellulosic ethanol from corncobs and its byproduct X-ER. |