Process for second generation ethanol production

US11193146B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Indian Oil Corporation Limited · IN
• Department of Biotechnology · IN

Inventors

• Ajay Sharma · Beaverton, US
• Manas Ranjan SWAIN · Faridabad, IN
• Ajit SINGH · Lucknow, IN
• Anshu Shankar MATHUR · Faridabad, IN
• Ravi Prakash GUPTA · Sindhar, IN
• Suresh Kumar Puri · Faridabad, IN
• Sankara Sri Venkata RAMAKUMAR · Faridabad, IN

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 24, 2020
• Grant date: Dec 7, 2021
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E50/10
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved method of second generation ethanol production from a lignocellulosic biomass. The process comprises subjecting a slurry of pre-treated lignocellulosic biomass comprising C5 and C6 sugars in a fermentor; preferentially fermenting mainly C5 sugars by incubating the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass of step (i) with first cellulase enzyme, co-fermenting microorganism, nutrient in the fermentor at 30-37° C. for a period of 16 to 24 hours; adding second cellulase enzyme to the fermentation broth of step (ii) and increasing the temperature to 45-55° C. for hydrolysis; allowing the fermentation broth of step (iii) to cool to a temperature of 35-38° C.; and preferentially fermenting C6 sugars by incubating the broth of step (iv) with a second dose of co-fermenting microorganism for a period of 6-8 hours to obtain ethanol. The process results in high ethanol productivity in shortest duration of time.