Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Fast-Growing Poplar Wood After Pretreatment by Steam Explosion

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of steam explosion pretreatment, without maintaining the heating temperature, on the yield of enzymatic hydrolysis of wood biomass. Genetically modified poplar wood was used for the investigation. The pretreatment process was conducted at temperatures of 160 °C, 175 °C, 190 °C and 205 °C. Then, the system was rapidly decompressed. The heating medium was water. The chemical composition of biomass was determined before and after the steam explosion and then enzymatic hydrolysis was performed. The results of the chemical composition analysis showed a change in the holocellulose content in the analyzed biomass (about 80% for the native sample and 72% for the biomass sample treated at 205 °C), a decrease in the hemicelluloses content from about 40% (native sample) to 16% for the sample treated at 205 °C. The results of enzymatic hydrolysis showed the lowest glucose extraction efficiency for biomass hydrolysis after the treatment at 160 °C, of only about 9% compared to the theoretical content of glucose from the cellulose contained in hydrolysed wood biomass. The highest results were obtained for the samples treated at 190 °C and 205 °C. The study also estimated the processing costs, as a function of the heating medium (steam, water) and energy source (atomic energy, hard coal, natural gas, biomass), assuming heating with electric heaters. From the economic point of view, it is advantageous to use steam heating medium, and either natural gas or biomass as an energy source.

Twin-Screw Extrusion Mechanical Pretreatment for Enhancing Biomethane Production from Agro-Industrial, Agricultural and Catch Crop Biomasses

“…Physical pretreatments, mainly ultrasound or microwave, or physico-chemical pretreatments such as steam explosion, are also able to disrupt the cell wall structure, and they are more cost-effective than mechanical pretreatments. However, the former lack their industrial maturity, whereas the latter may generate toxic compounds [10,14,15]. Chemical pretreatments, mainly alkaline and acid pretreatments, while often very efficient in increasing biogas production through the removal of either hemicelluloses or lignin, have the main disadvantages of being pretty expensive and not very environmentally friendly, and they can also generate AD inhibitors in the process such as furans and phenols compounds [16].…”

Enzymatic Conversion of Lignosulfonate into Wood Adhesives: A Next Step towards Fully Biobased Composite Materials

“…More recently, adhesives based on combinations of magnesium lignosulfonate with polysaccharides such as potato starch or monosaccharides such as sorbitol have been proposed [10]. Lignin could be also obtained by other wood processing methods such as, e.g., steam explosion of lignocellulosic biomass [11].…”

Comparison of China’s Biomass Combustion Power Generation with Different Installed Capacities

“…In the context of achieving carbon neutrality, biomass will play an increasing and irreplaceable role in the energy transition [6]. Taking carbon prices into account, biomass is expected to gradually become more cost competitive than fossil fuels in the future [6][7][8]. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, to achieve global net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, global bioenergy consumption in 2050 would have to nearly triple the level of 2018 [9].…”