BEI Hydrolysis Process System and Improved Process for the Continuous Hydrolysis Sacchararification of Ligno-Cellulosics in a Two-Stage Plug-Flow-Reactor System

摘要

The invention relates to an improved two-stage dilute-acid hydrolysis process and apparatus for the continuous saccharification of ligno-cellulosic biomass or other cellulosic material feedstocks, with higher efficiency and better economics than known-art, is disclosed. It comprises two double-tube heat-exchanger and plug-flow-reactor systems, in series . The improved process is primarily by reverse insterstage transfer-flow, opposite to biomass , of second-stage surplus of: 1 . process heat, 2. dilute-acid and 3. ingredient and solution water, all in an alpha cellulose hydrolysate and dilute acid solution. It also comprises recycle of a fraction of unhydrolyzed alpha-cellulose hydrolysis residue, thereby achieving higher hydrolysis conversion of alpha-cellulose to glucose; and providing: 1. lower hydrolysate sugar decomposition, 2. reduced reaction time and 3. increased reactor processing capacity, without increased dimensions. The process is ideal for process control to efficiency to produce a primary final liquid product, which is the combined hydrolysate sugars into a single solution, including pentose and hexose sugars, including glucose, which are readily fermented into Ethanol and/or Torula Yeast. The final solid product is the unhydrolyzed lignin residue solids.