Towards An Improved Understanding of the Effects of Dilute Acid Pretreatment on Poplar Lignin, 2010 TAPPI PEERS Conference

Please Note: This document will be available in PDF format in the "My Electronic Documents" link on the home page once your order has been completed. Please make sure you have the latest version of Acrobat Reader. Click on the Acrobat Reader icon to check for the latest version, it’s FREE. To print a hardcopy of a PDF file correctly you must have a postscript printer. If you are not sure if your printer is a postscript printer please refer to your owner’s manual.

The need for the development of technologies for production of sustainable energy has become a global theme due to the earth's finite fossil fuel reserves and the increasing demand for energy. As one of the promising alternative sources of energy, the utilization of lignocellulosics for biofuels production provides a long-term sustainable option for fuels production which can be accomplished in an environmentally compatible manner. The process of converting lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol through biological routes consists of three main steps: pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation. To date, the effective utilization of these bioresources is predicated on pretreatment technologies that can reduce biomass recalcitrance, as it dictates the susceptibility of the biomass to enzymatic hydrolysis.

The purpose of pretreatment is to alter the structure of the biomass so that cellulose and hemicellulose become more accessible and amenable to hydrolytic enzymes, facilitating deconstruction. Effective pretreatment technologies need to address several important criteria, including minimal sugar losses through degradation, minimal formation of by-products that inhibit ethanol fermentation, high recovery of carbohydrates, low energy consumption, and low capital and operating costs. Dilute acid pretreatment has been shown to be a leading pretreatment technology that is effective on hardwoods. Understanding the chemical mechanisms of this pretreatment and changes in lignin can help tailor the production of second generation bioethanol, as well as to fully utilize lignin to make a range of fuels, chemicals, or other co-products.