Enzymatic Hydrolysis of MSW Lignocellulosic Biomass

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for converting lignocellulosic biomass from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into fermentable sugars face challenges such as low sugar yields, high enzyme requirements, and inefficiencies in resource use, particularly due to contaminants and variability in the waste stream, making the process economically unviable on a commercial scale.

Innovation Solution

An improved hydrolysis method involving enzymatic treatment with aliquot additions of enzymes and biomass, using surfactants like PEG to reduce enzyme quantity and increase sugar yield, and solvent extraction to remove pseudo-lignin, combined with specific enzyme compositions and agitation strategies to enhance conversion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional enzymatic hydrolysis is used on lignocellulosic biomass from MSW, then sugar production can be achieved, but sugar yields are low and enzyme requirements are high making the process economically unviable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesugar yieldVSAvoidenzyme quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by conducting solvent extraction to remove pseudo-lignin and contaminants from MSW before enzymatic hydrolysis. This pre-treatment step modifies the substrate to be more receptive to enzyme action, thereby increasing sugar yields and reducing the enzyme quantities needed for effective hydrolysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition of the biomass through solvent extraction, removing pseudo-lignin and contaminants. This changes the physical and chemical parameters of the substrate, making it more accessible to enzymes and improving hydrolysis efficiency without requiring excessive enzyme quantities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high enzyme quantities are used to increase sugar yield, then sugar production improves, but resource efficiency and economic viability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesugar yieldVSAvoidresource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By performing solvent extraction before hydrolysis, the patent prepares the substrate in advance to require fewer enzymes for effective conversion. This preliminary modification of the biomass structure reduces the enzyme dosage needed, thereby improving resource efficiency while maintaining high sugar yields.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes pseudo-lignin and contaminants from the MSW using solvents before enzymatic treatment. This removal of inhibitory substances decreases the enzyme quantity required for hydrolysis, improving resource efficiency and reducing operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If MSW is used as feedstock to avoid land use for food crops, then food security improves, but process efficiency and economic viability worsen due to contaminants and variability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedstock flexibilityVSAvoidprocess efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of contaminants and pseudo-lignin in MSW into a benefit by using solvent extraction to selectively remove these substances. The same MSW that would otherwise be problematic due to contamination is transformed into an effective feedstock, enabling efficient sugar production from waste materials without compromising process efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the composition of MSW through solvent extraction, removing contaminants and pseudo-lignin. This changes the substrate quality parameters, making variable and contaminated MSW suitable for efficient enzymatic hydrolysis, thereby maintaining high process efficiency while using versatile waste feedstock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method achieves higher sugar yields with reduced enzyme usage, increases the calorific value of residual lignin-rich solids, and makes the process more economically viable by optimizing enzyme use and resource efficiency, allowing for the production of biofuels and specialty chemicals from MSW.

Implementation Method 1

enzymatic hydrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass to obtain a slurry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

enzymatic hydrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

using surfactants like PEG to reduce enzyme quantity and increase sugar yield

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS11535877B2Method for the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 FIBERIGHT

AI summary

The present invention relates generally to the field of industrial biotechnology and particularly to an improved hydrolysis method for increasing sugar production from a high solids concentration of lignocellulosic biomass, especially one derived from Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) by enzymatic hydrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass to obtain a slurry, wherein the hydrolysis comprises aliquot additions of enzyme and lignocellulosic biomass; and removal of sugars from the slurry and washing of the residual lignocellulosic biomass.