Ethanol Extraction via Pentose Wine Recirculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The economic viability of producing second-generation alcohols and solvents from lignocellulosic biomass is hindered by the inefficient conversion of pentoses into ethanol, as wild yeasts like Saccharomyces cerevisiae prioritize hexoses and require genetic modification, and the energy-intensive distillation process for alcohol extraction.

Innovation Solution

A process where part of the ethanol produced from pentoses is recycled to facilitate the conversion of hexoses into ethanol, allowing for simultaneous or separate enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation in the presence of ethanol, reducing the need for multiple distillation steps and optimizing microorganism usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If genetically modified microorganisms are used to convert pentoses into ethanol, then the conversion efficiency of pentoses is improved, but the complexity of process management and installation control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion efficiency of pentosesVSAvoidcomplexity of process management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae that naturally ferment hexoses rather than genetically modified organisms. This approach accepts lower pentose conversion efficiency but eliminates the complexity of managing genetically modified systems, including continuous glucose feeding requirements and strict confinement conditions. The solution prioritizes operational simplicity over maximum productivity for pentoses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If wild yeasts are used for fermentation, then the ease of operation and process management is improved, but the conversion efficiency of pentoses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of process managementVSAvoidconversion efficiency of pentoses

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the fermentation processes of hexoses and pentoses into a single integrated system using wild-type yeast. By recycling ethanol from pentose fermentation back to the hexose fermentation stage, the system allows both sugar types to be converted simultaneously using the same microorganism, simplifying operations while maintaining acceptable overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple distillation steps are used to extract ethanol from different fermentation streams, then the purity of ethanol is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurity of ethanolVSAvoidenergy consumption of distillation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the ethanol streams from hexose fermentation and pentose fermentation into a single distillation process. By recycling the ethanol-containing stream from pentose fermentation back to the hexose fermentation stage, only one distillation step is required to purify the combined ethanol, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to separate distillation of each stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 improves the energy balance of the extraction stage by grouping ethanol from hexoses and pentoses for a single extraction step, saving 5% to 50% energy and simplifying the process by using different microorganisms adapted to ferment hexoses and pentoses without continuous glucose supply.

Implementation Method 1

The carbohydrate polymers of the pretreated plant are hydrolyzed by cellulases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

ethyl fermentation of the hydrolyzate obtained

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 3

The ethanol from wine, with or without separation of suspended solids (MES), is extracted by distillation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDistillation: Distillation

Data Source

PatentEP2697383B1Method for producing ethanol from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass including the recirculation of an ethylic wine obtained by fermentation of pentoses

Publication Date: 2018.10.17 IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES

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AI summary

The present invention describes a method for producing alcohols and/or solvents from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass, including at least: a) a step of thermochemically pretreating a cellulosic or lignocellulosic substrate; b) optionally, a step of washing the pretreated substrate and adjusting the pH thereof; c) a step of enzymatically hydrolyzing the pretreated substrate; d) a step of ethylically fermenting the hexoses contained in the hydrolysate from step c) to obtain ethanol by means of a microorganism that ferments the hexoses, and obtaining a hexose-based ethylic wine; e) an extraction step; and f) a step of ethylically fermenting the pentoses contained in at least one of the streams obtained in one of the previous steps, by means of a microorganism that ferments the pentoses, and obtaining a pentose-based ethylic wine, wherein at least a portion of the pentose-based ethylic wine is recirculated upstream from at least one of the enzymatic hydrolysis and/or ethylic fermentation steps.