233
Hydrolysis and
9
Fermentation
Technologies
for Alcohols
9.1 intrOdUCtiOn
Water plays an essential role in the hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulosic
materials to produce alcohols. While most of the efforts have been made to generate ethanol, in the recent years, some research has been pursued to generate higher
alcohols such as butanol via fermentation technologies [1]. In this chapter, we mainly
focus on ethanol with a brief update on the recent advances in the generation of
butanol via hydrolysis and fermentation technologies.
Ethanol is the second largest solvent (next to water) in the world [2]. While ethanol has been generated from sugars via fermentation technology for more than
2000 years in all parts of the world, its expanded use as a fuel or fuel additive has
substantially increased its production by the use of innovative technologies. Ethanol
is a very versatile material with the following usages [2]:
1. It is a raw material for the manufacture of plastics, lacquers, polishes, plasticizers, perfumes, and cosmetics.
2. Ethyl acetate and ethyl acrylate (i.e., ethyl esters produced by the reaction
of ethanol with carboxylic acid) are raw materials for acrylate polymers.
3. Vinegar can be produced by Acetobacter bacteria in ethanol solutions.
4. It is a raw material for polylactic acid and polylactide (PLA). Polylactic acid
is a biodegradable polymer and can also be used with other polymers as a
composite.
5. It is a source for hydrogen via processes of reforming or supercritical water
gasification.
6. It can be a substitute for methanol for transesterification of triglycerides to
make biodiesel.
7. It is a very good substitute for reformulated gasoline and additive as well as
a source of renewable fuel.
Ethanol can be used as E10 (10% ethanol in gasoline), E22 (gasohol used in Brazil),
E85 (85% ethanol used in flexible fuel automobiles in Brazil as well in the United
Hydrolysis and
9
Fermentation
Technologies
for Alcohols
9.1 intrOdUCtiOn
Water plays an essential role in the hydrolysis and fermentation of lignocellulosic
materials to produce alcohols. While most of the efforts have been made to generate ethanol, in the recent years, some research has been pursued to generate higher
alcohols such as butanol via fermentation technologies [1]. In this chapter, we mainly
focus on ethanol with a brief update on the recent advances in the generation of
butanol via hydrolysis and fermentation technologies.
Ethanol is the second largest solvent (next to water) in the world [2]. While ethanol has been generated from sugars via fermentation technology for more than
2000 years in all parts of the world, its expanded use as a fuel or fuel additive has
substantially increased its production by the use of innovative technologies. Ethanol
is a very versatile material with the following usages [2]:
1. It is a raw material for the manufacture of plastics, lacquers, polishes, plasticizers, perfumes, and cosmetics.
2. Ethyl acetate and ethyl acrylate (i.e., ethyl esters produced by the reaction
of ethanol with carboxylic acid) are raw materials for acrylate polymers.
3. Vinegar can be produced by Acetobacter bacteria in ethanol solutions.
4. It is a raw material for polylactic acid and polylactide (PLA). Polylactic acid
is a biodegradable polymer and can also be used with other polymers as a
composite.
5. It is a source for hydrogen via processes of reforming or supercritical water
gasification.
6. It can be a substitute for methanol for transesterification of triglycerides to
make biodiesel.
7. It is a very good substitute for reformulated gasoline and additive as well as
a source of renewable fuel.
Ethanol can be used as E10 (10% ethanol in gasoline), E22 (gasohol used in Brazil),
E85 (85% ethanol used in flexible fuel automobiles in Brazil as well in the United