Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Continuous And Semicontinuous Reaction Systems For High-Solids Enzymatic Hydrolysis Of Lignocellulosics, A González Quiroga, A Bula Silvera, Ricardo Vasquez Padilla, A C. De Costa, R Maciel Filho

Dr Ricardo Vasquez Padilla

An attractive operation strategy for the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosics results from dividing the process into three stages with complementary goals: continuous enzyme adsorption at low-solids loading (5% w/w) with recycling of the liquid phase; continuous liquefaction at high-solids content (up to 20% w/w); and, finally, continuous or semicontinuous hydrolysis with supplementation of fresh enzymes. This paper presents a detailed modeling and simulation framework for the aforementioned operation strategies. The limiting micromixing situations of macrofluid and microfluid are used to predict conversions. The adsorption and liquefaction stages are modeled as a continuous stirred tank and a plug flow reactor, respectively. …