The development of a process for the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic waste

Abstract

The degradation of lignocellulose to provide feedstocks for fermentation and chemical use is the subject of increasing worldwide investigation. This paper outlines the current chemical and enzymic methods and discusses the problems presented to the process engineer. In view of these difficulties, the targets for a viable process are described. In the process, wheat straw is used as the feedstock and the removal of the hemicellulose is involved as a first step. In the second step, the majority of the lignin is removed, thereby yielding a cellulose-rich material for conversion to glucose in the final step. The paper concentrates on this last step, which is an acidic hydrolysis carried out in the presence of a metal halide. This combination leads to rapid dissolution of the solid, which is then susceptible to hydrolysis. The reaction conditions, acid recovery and separation of the glucose from inorganic material are described.