Title:
2-Naphtalenesulfonic Acid as Catalyst for Lignocellulosic Pretreatment: Study of Optimum Reaction Conditions by Response-Surface Methodology
Author(s):
Bortolo, R., Giovarruscio, G., Paganini, P., Bianchi, D.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Many processes leading to production of second generation biofuels, such as ethanol, include a fermentation step that requires sugars obtained from the polyglycoside fraction of lignocellulosic biomasses. Unfortunately, fermentable sugars are not so easy to obtain, because of the cellulose natural resistance to hydrolysis, due to its crystalline structure. A pretreatment step is necessary in order to reduce crystallinity, increase porosity and improve hydrolytic enzymes accessibility to the fibers. Among the pretreatment processes, those using mineral dilute acids are widely used, in particular with sulfuric acid. However, acid treatments need neutralization (generally by adding lime) with subsequent significant salts formation. In our work, we report the use of a water soluble organic acid, 2naphthalenesulfonic acid, that shows a good activity as pretreatment catalyst. Moreover, it can be recovered by solvent extraction and recycled to the prehydrolysis step, avoiding neutralization and salt production.
Keywords:
second generation biofuels, biomass pretreatment, lignocellulosic biomass
Topic:
Processes for Fuels from Biomass
Subtopic:
Production and supply of second generation biofuels
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP3.5.12
Pages:
2173 - 2176
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP3.5.12
Price:
FREE