Sustainable Biofuel: Innovations in Bioethanol Production
Technologies
Background
Wood and straw are considered major biomass resources that can
contribute to securing the future energy supply in the Nordic region.
Major barriers to their utilization are high pretreatment, enzyme
hydrolysis and fermentation costs. Selective separation of lignin prior
to the enzymatic hydrolysis step will improve the efficiency of the
hydrolytic enzymes. However, effective lignin separation methods are
needed. Enzyme costs for hydrolysing celluloses need to be reduced to
achieve economically feasible processes. Enzyme recycling could
contribute to cost reductions. High ethanol yield and high production
rate of ethanol is required for an optimal production of ethanol.
Thermophilic anaerobic bacteria are possibly the best candidates for
direct ethanologenic fermentation of polysaccharides containing both
hexoses and pentoses. However, known strains need to be improved by
genetic methods for more cost efficient ethanol production.
Project goals
The main objective of the project is to carry out break-through
science leading to innovations in the central production technologies
for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into second generation
bioethanol. These central processes include pretreatment, hydrolysis
and fermentation.
Key objective of the project
• Development of more efficient processes for pretreatment of Nordic
lignocellulosic biomass
• Development of more cost-effective processes for enzymatic hydrolysis
of cellulose
• Development of novel thermophilic microorganisms for bioethanol
production
• Optimization of the fermentation processes for ethanol
production
• Process conceptual design, material and energy balances and
cost-benefit assessment of technologies developed
Participants
Nils Dyrset, SINTEF, NO
Karin Øyaas, PFI, NO
Børre Tore Børresen, Statoil, NO
Jørn Einen, Weyland, NO
Mikael Jansson, Innventia, SE
Jaana Uusitalo, VTT, FI
Gudmundur O. Hreggvidsson, Matis-Food, IS
Timothy John Hobley, DTU, DK
More information
Project duration: 2010-2014
Budget: 12.5 million NOK
Nordic Energy Research contributes with 75 %
Contact information
Project manager: Dr. Nils Dyrset, SINTEF, Norway
Phone: +47 930 86 022
E-mail: nils.dyrset@sintef.no
