Biorefining Lignocellulosic Biomass via the Feedstock Impregnation Rapid and Sequential Steam Treatment

Abstract

This paper focuses on three aspects that should be closely related to the production of second generation ethanol. In a first section, the composition of different substrate will be review as for their cellulosic, hemicellulosic and lignin contents. These data are essential for adaptation of the downstream process of a biorefinery. The second section of this chapter will be aimed at reviewing the steam treatments from our experience with the Feedstock Impregnation Rapid and Sequential Steam Treatment (FIRSST) process developed through two and a half decades of effort within our extended team (fundamentals at the academic level; engineering and technology via the spin-off company, CRB). Finally, the paper overviews the chemical treatments for cellulose hydrolysis compared with the CRB decrystallyzation and depolymerization process whose fundamental basis was developed by our team at the Universite´ de Sherbrooke.