Suitability assessment of a continuous process combining thermo-mechano-chemical and bio-catalytic action in a single pilot-scale twin-screw extruder for six different biomass sources

Virginie Vandenbossche (1) , Julien Brault (1) , Oscar Hernandez-Melendez (2) , Philippe Evon (1) , Eduardo Barzana (2) , Gérard Vilarem (1) , Luc Rigal (1)

1 CAI - Chimie Agro-Industrielle
2 UNAM - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México = National Autonomous University of Mexico

A process has been validated for the deconstruction of lignocellulose on a pilot scale installation using six types of biomass selected for their sustainability, accessibility, worldwide availability, and differences of chemical composition and physical structure. The process combines thermo-mechano-chemical and bio-catalytic action in a single twin-screw extruder. Three treatment phases were sequentially performed: an alkaline pretreatment, a neutralization step coupled with an extraction–separation phase and a bioextrusion treatment. Alkaline pretreatment destructured the wall polymers after just a few minutes and allowed the initial extraction of 18–54% of the hemicelluloses and 9–41% of the lignin. The bioextrusion step induced the start of enzymatic hydrolysis and increased the proportion of soluble organic matter. Extension of saccharification for 24 h at high consistency (20%) and without the addition of new enzyme resulted in the production of 39–84% of the potential glucose.

Mots clés: Lignocellulosic biomass; Twin-screw extruder; Alkaline pre-treatment; Enzymatic hydrolysis; Bioextrusion

Domaines: Génie chimique; Agronomie

Virginie Vandenbossche, Julien Brault, Oscar Hernandez-Melendez, Philippe Evon, Eduardo Barzana, et al.. Suitability assessment of a continuous process combining thermo-mechano-chemical and bio-catalytic action in a single pilot-scale twin-screw extruder for six different biomass sources. Bioresource Technology, 2016, vol. 211, pp. 146-153. ⟨10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.072⟩. ⟨hal-01347232⟩