Two-Stage Enzymatic Hydrolysis for Lignocellulosic Bioethanol

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of enzyme production and process inefficiencies in the hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulosic materials for biofuel production, particularly due to lengthy processing times and the need for complex enzyme management, hinder the economic viability of bioethanol production.

Innovation Solution

A process involving two-stage enzymatic hydrolysis with temperature optimization and controlled oxygen addition during the second stage, allowing for reduced enzyme usage and simplified oxygen management, thereby lowering costs and enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If enzyme dosage is increased to improve hydrolysis efficiency, then sugar yield increases, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesugar yieldVSAvoidenzyme dosage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing temperature conditions in two sequential stages: first stage at 45-50°C and second stage at 50-55°C. This temperature optimization enhances enzyme activity and stability, thereby improving sugar yield without increasing enzyme dosage. The method achieves higher productivity through parameter optimization rather than increasing substance quantity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous useful action by conducting two sequential hydrolysis stages without interrupting the enzymatic process. The first stage at 45-50°C followed by the second stage at 50-55°C ensures continuous sugar release from cellulose, maximizing the utilization of enzymes throughout the extended process duration and improving overall efficiency without additional enzyme input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If hydrolysis time is extended to improve sugar conversion, then conversion yield increases, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion yieldVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a two-stage temperature regime that adapts conditions during the hydrolysis process. The first stage at 45-50°C initiates enzyme action, followed by the second stage at 50-55°C that accelerates sugar release. This dynamic temperature adjustment optimizes the rate of conversion throughout the process, achieving high conversion yield within a reasonable time frame rather than using a single static temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through two distinct hydrolysis stages with different temperature conditions. The process alternates between the first stage (45-50°C) and second stage (50-55°C), each serving a specific function in the sugar release sequence. This periodic temperature variation enhances overall conversion efficiency by matching temperature conditions to the progressive breakdown of cellulose

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If oxygen is added during hydrolysis to stimulate glucan hydrolysis, then hydrolysis efficiency increases, but enzyme inactivation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolysis efficiencyVSAvoidenzyme stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by conducting the first hydrolysis stage at 45-50°C before introducing oxygen in the second stage at 50-55°C. This sequential approach allows enzymes to initially act on the substrate under protective conditions, then oxygen is introduced to stimulate further glucan hydrolysis. The preliminary stage prepares the substrate and maintains enzyme stability before oxygen exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by adjusting temperature and oxygen conditions in two sequential stages. The first stage at 45-50°C operates with limited oxygen to maintain enzyme stability, while the second stage at 50-55°C introduces oxygen to stimulate glucan hydrolysis. This dynamic adjustment of conditions throughout the process balances hydrolysis efficiency with enzyme stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Speed

If temperature is increased to accelerate hydrolysis rate, then processing speed increases, but enzyme activity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolysis rateVSAvoidenzyme activity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing a two-stage temperature regime that adjusts conditions during the hydrolysis process. The first stage at 45-50°C maintains enzyme activity and stability, while the second stage at 50-55°C increases the hydrolysis rate. This dynamic temperature adjustment allows the process to benefit from both slow steady enzyme action and faster subsequent hydrolysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by optimizing temperature in two sequential stages. The first stage at 45-50°C preserves enzyme activity, while the second stage at 50-55°C accelerates the hydrolysis rate. This parameter optimization across stages resolves the contradiction between speed and enzyme activity by applying different temperature conditions at different process phases

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 approach reduces enzyme dosage, shortens processing times, and minimizes the need for pH control, leading to cost-effective and efficient production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic materials by stabilizing enzyme activity and optimizing sugar yields.

Implementation Method 1

cellulose present in the lignocellulosic material is partly (typically 30 to 95%, dependable on enzyme activity and hydrolysis conditions) converted into reducing sugars by cellulolytic enzymes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 2

Oxygen not only stimulates glucan hydrolysis, it also leads to enzyme inactivation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygen stimulation of hydrolysis: Oxidation

Implementation Method 3

The sugars are then converted into valuable fermentation products such as ethanol by microorganisms like yeast

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS11091784B2Process for enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material and fermentation of sugars
Publication Date: 2021.08.17 VERSALIS SPA

AI summary

A method of treating a patient who has melanoma includes administering to said patient a composition containing a population of activated T cells that selectively recognize cells in the patient that aberrantly express a peptide. A pharmaceutical composition contains activated T cells that selectively recognize cells in a patient that aberrantly express a peptide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, in which the T cells bind to the peptide in a complex with an MHC class I molecule, and the composition is for treating the patient who has melanoma. A method of treating a patient who has melanoma includes administering to said patient a composition comprising a peptide in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, thereby inducing a T-cell response to the melanoma.