Enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

US9193982B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Borregaard AS · NO

Inventors

• Anders Sjoede · Sarpsborg, NO
• Anders Froelander · Sarpsborg, NO
• Martin Lersch · Sarpsborg, NO
• Gudbrand Roedsrud · Sarpsborg, NO
• Kristin Hals · Sarpsborg, NO
• Anne Mari Kloeften · Sarpsborg, NO
• Lennart Delin · Uppsala, SE
• Mats H Johansson · Söderhamn, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 16, 2011
• Grant date: Nov 24, 2015
• Expiry date: Sep 4, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P30/20
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates to a continuous process for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass and to an apparatus for conducting said process. According to the present invention, a steady state is achieved in a reactor in regard to the hydrolysis reaction. Therein, cellulosic biomass of a high total solids content (preferably 10% or higher, further preferably between 15 and 30%) is continually added to said reactor, while at least partially hydrolyzed cellulosic biomass is continually removed from said reactor. The steady state is adjusted, i.e. the amount of cellulosic biomass added and the amount of at least partially hydrolyzed cellulosic biomass removed is adjusted, so that the retention time of a given portion of added cellulosic biomass in the reactor is longer than its “liquefaction time”, i.e. the time period required to transform a solid slurry into a pumpable liquid during hydrolysis, i.e. the time required to lower the viscosity of the slurry to a value, which is acceptable for further processing.