Wednesday, May 1, 2013: 10:10 AM
Grand Ballroom I, Ballroom Level
For lignocellulosic biofuels to compete with oil, a cost competitive process is
necessary. One of the most expensive parts of a lignocellulosic fuel process is
the cost and demand of the enzymes for conversion of the biomass to sugar.
Incomplete substrate conversions and binding of cellulases to lignocellulosic
components result in cellulases often being used as an expensive reagent rather
than a reusable catalyst.
necessary. One of the most expensive parts of a lignocellulosic fuel process is
the cost and demand of the enzymes for conversion of the biomass to sugar.
Incomplete substrate conversions and binding of cellulases to lignocellulosic
components result in cellulases often being used as an expensive reagent rather
than a reusable catalyst.
To reduce the enzyme requirements, we have investigated the role of product
inhibition, enzyme/ solids loading, and un-hydrolyzed material buildup (e.g. lignin)
on cellulase hydrolysis kinetics. We have further optimized enzymatic hydrolysis
by reducing the enzyme loading and increasing the solids loading. Recyclability
or reuse of the enzymes is explored in order to decrease total hydrolysis costs
by reducing the amount of enzymes needed. By studying kinetics under these
hydrolysis conditions, we can direct the engineering of enzymes and processes
to further improve enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulose.