672g Novel Cellulose- and Organic- Solvents-Based Lignocellulose Fractionation: an Update

Y.-H. Percival Zhang, Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 210-A Seitz Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061

Effectively overcoming the recalcitrance of lignocellulosic materials is one of the largest technical obstacles to the production of chemicals and bioethanol from the most abundant renewable bioresource -- lignocellulose. A novel concentrated phosphoric acid/acetone lignocellulose fractionation for corn stover has been developed recently. This new technology has four distinctive features: modest reaction conditions (~50oC and atmospheric pressure); fractionation of lignocellulose into amorphous cellulose, hemicellulose sugars, lignin, and acetic acid; generation of highly reactive amorphous cellulose; and cost-effective reagent recycling. Here we will present the latest progress on this technology applicable to other lignocellulosic materials such as switchgrass, hybrid poplar (hardwood), and Douglas fir (softwood).