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Review of the Research Strategy for Biomass-Derived Transportation Fuels (1999) / Chapter Skim
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4 Processing Technologies
Pages 27-31

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From page 27...
... In addition to OFD's program, a broad range of innovative research is being done outside of DOE that could improve bioethanol conversion technologies. Researchers have already identified several opportunities for improving cellulosic-to-ethanol conversion and lowering manufacturing costs in the following research areas (Himmel et al., 1997; Lynd, 1996; Lynd et al., 1996; Wyman, 1999~: · advanced pretreatments to increase sugar yields and reduce sugar degradation · improved cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes · consolidated bioprocessing of hydrolysis and fermentation product diversification including coproduction of nonfuel products (e.g., organic chemicals and biobased materials)
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From page 28...
... Although large increases for research on pretreatment for fiscal year 2000 have been requested, the committee believes OFD should consider using pretreatment technologies under development elsewhere to improve bioethanol manufacturing processes. Diverse pretreatment processes under evaluation may have the potential to unlock vast reserves of cellulosic biomass (NRC, l999c)
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From page 29...
... and simultaneously produce ethanol at high yields, or differing requirements for oxygen for various functions essential to the process (Lynd, 1996~. Although the committee agrees that cellulase enzymes are a key component of bioethanol research, hemicellulase enzymes have the potential to unlock additional sources of sugars for fermentation.
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From page 30...
... Accurate material balances on corn stover and candidate grasses will be crucial to ensuring that all components of these materials, including nonfuel components, are used effectively. Corn stover is an underutilized resource, and if its collection and distribution can be expedited and some conservation issues addressed, the conversion of corn stover (and other agricultural residues)
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From page 31...
... Because of a lack of any foreseeable opportunity for reducing the production costs of biodiesel, the Office of Fuels Development should consider eliminating its biodiesel program and redirecting those funds into the bioethanol program.
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Key Terms

  • corn stover
  • soybean oil
  • bioethanol industry
  • cellulase enzymes
  • improve bioethanol

  • cellulosic biomass
  • fundamental understanding
  • bioethanol conversion
  • bioethanol manufacturing
  • technologies currently

  • inherent limitations
  • effective alternatives
  • basic process
  • specific technologies
  • committee agrees

  • ammonia fiber
  • dilute acid
  • active cellulase
  • process design
  • liquid hot

  • conversion technologies
  • fiber explosion
  • processing technologies
  • pretreatment processes
  • incremental improvements

  • acid hydrolysis
  • hot water
  • advanced pretreatments
  • oilseed crops
  • consolidated bioprocessing


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