DECRYSTALLIZATION OF CELLULOSIC BIOMASS WITH AN ACID MIXTURE COMPRISING PHOSPHORIC AND SULFURIC ACIDS

摘要

The present invention provides a process for treating biomass to produce sugars, The process is directed to decrystaltizing cellulose by contacting biomass with an acid mixture comprising sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid at particular molar ratios. Following decrystaUization, the biomass may be hydrolyzed with the acid mixture to produce a saccharification product comprising sugars.