Validation of Thermophillic Fermentation at pre-production scale

This project concerns the use of thermophillic micro-organisms to convert hemicellulosic sugars to ethanol. By applying this to grain biorefining processes, which only convert the C6 sugars derived from the starch present, additional ethanol can be produced from the hemicellosic (C5) sugars present (which tend to be non/antinutritive). By removing the hemicellulose this process has the further benefit of concentrating the protein content of the animal feed co-product. This process thus represents a means of both enhancing the yield of ethanol conversion from cereals, and upgrading the animal feed co-product. It will have general potential for application across a broad range of feedstocks.
Research into thermophillic fermentation, using biomass sugars including those of hemicellulosic origin has reached the stage where demonstration at larger scale is required. This project envisages utilising scales up to 10,000 litres, with the objective of demonstrating process robustness, confirming the many parameters necessary for the large scale hydrolysis and fermentation and ensuring that the performance and efficiencies delivered at small scale can be extrapolated to larger scale operation.