Development of integrative system for organosolv fractionation and conversion of lignocellulosic biomass components to biofuels and valorized chemicals
In the 1st phase project, the use of hydrothermal liquid hot compressed water (LHW) process on pretreatment of several potent agricultural by-products has been studied and lignocellulose degrading enzyme systems for hydrolysis of the cellulosic substrates have been developed based on the enzyme synergy concept. As a continual work, this research package aims to further develop an integrated model process for maximized utilization of lignocellulosic biomass for development of economically feasible biorefinery model. The project will focus on further exploration of the fractionation technology and design of the fractionation unit prototype for a selected model biomass i.e. sugarcane bagasse using the combined hydrothermal/ solvothermal process based on previously obtained LHW platform. The separated biomass components i.e. cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin will be characterized and demonstrated for further conversion to model products e.g. biofuel as the main product and valorized chemicals of industrial interest as co-products via fermentation and catalytic routes
