Cellulase Enzyme Dispersion in High-Consistency Slurries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for enzymatically hydrolyzing cellulose to glucose in high consistency slurries face challenges with effective enzyme dispersion and mixing, leading to high power requirements and increased operating costs, which are not economically feasible for commercialization.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a high shear in-line mixing device is used to disperse cellulase enzymes in pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock slurries with undissolved solids content between 15 and 30 wt%, allowing for efficient enzyme distribution and reduced power input during enzymatic hydrolysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mixing methods are used to disperse cellulase enzyme in high consistency slurry, then enzyme dispersion is achieved, but power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-dispersing the cellulase enzyme in a smaller volume of water to create an enzyme solution before adding it to the high consistency slurry. This preliminary dispersion step ensures uniform enzyme distribution without requiring high power input during the main mixing process, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving good enzyme dispersion and minimizing power consumption.
2Productivity
If high consistency slurry is used for enzymatic hydrolysis, then process efficiency improves, but enzyme dispersion becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by preparing an enzyme solution in advance with adequate mixing, then introducing this pre-mixed solution to the high consistency slurry. This approach maintains the benefits of high consistency processing while ensuring proper enzyme dispersion through the preliminary preparation step, thus resolving the contradiction between process efficiency and ease of enzyme dispersion.
3Ease of manufacture
If slurry consistency is increased to improve process economics, then operating costs decrease, but mixing and enzyme distribution become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by performing the mixing action in advance during enzyme solution preparation rather than during slurry processing. This preliminary mixing step occurs in a more favorable condition (lower viscosity), reducing the complexity of mixing equipment and operations required for high consistency slurry processing, thereby maintaining economic benefits while simplifying mixing requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces operating costs and improves the efficiency of glucose production from lignocellulosic feedstocks by effectively dispersing enzymes in high consistency slurries, enhancing the commercial viability of the process.
Implementation Method 1
dispersing the cellulase enzyme added in step (iv) in the pretreated slurry by using a high shear in-line mixing device so as to impart shear to the pretreated slurry
Implementation Method 2
enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose remaining in the pretreated cellulosic feedstock with cellulase enzymes
Implementation Method 3
The cellulase enzymes utilized to hydrolyze the cellulose to glucose include a mix of enzymes including exo-cellobiohydrolases (CBH), endoglucanases (EG) and beta-glucosidases
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for producing glucose from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The method comprises moving a pretreated feedstock slurry that has an undissolved solids content of between about 15 and about 30 wt % through a pipe. Cellulase enzyme is added to the pretreated slurry to produce a slurry comprising cellulase enzyme. A high shear in-line mixing device is used to disperse the cellulase enzyme in the pretreated slurry to produce a pretreated slurry comprising dispersed cellulase enzyme. The pretreated slurry comprising dispersed cellulase enzyme is then subjected to hydrolysis so as to produce glucose from cellulose contained therein.