Screening method for Enzyme-based liquefaction of corn stover pellets at high solids.

Liquefaction of high solid loadings of unpretreated corn stover pellets has been demonstrated with rheology of the resulting slurries enabling mixing and movement within biorefinery bioreactors. However, some forms of pelleted stover do not readily liquefy, so it is important to screen out lots of unsuitable pellets before processing is initiated. This work reports a laboratory assay that rapidly assesses whether pellets have the potential for enzyme-based liquefaction at high solids loadings. Twenty-eight pelleted corn stover (harvested at the same time and location) were analyzed using 20 mL enzyme solutions (3 FPU cellulase/ g biomass) at 30 % w/v solids loading. Imaging together with measurement of reducing sugars were performed over 24-hours. Some samples formed concentrated slurries of 300 mg/mL (dry basis) in the small-scale assay, which was later confirmed in an agitated bioreactor. Also, the laboratory assay showed potential for optimizing enzyme formulations that could be employed for slurry formation.

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Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Luana Assis Serra reports financial support was provided by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Luana Assis Serra reports financial support was provided by Coordination of Higher Education Personnel Improvement (CAPES). Michael Ladisch reports financial support was provided by US Department of Energy. David Thompson reports financial support was provided by US Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office. Michael Ladisch reports a relationship with Mascoma Corp that includes: equity or stocks. Nathan Mosier has patent #US Patent 8,790,904 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Michael Ladisch has patent #US Patent 9,359,619 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Michael Ladisch has patent #Chinese Patent ZL201080046974.3 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Michael Ladisch has patent #US Patent 10,072,253 B2 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Michael Ladisch has patent #US Patent 10,125,454 B2 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Michael Ladisch has patent #US Patent 10,144,785 B2 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Nathan Mosier has patent #BR Patent 1120120085131 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Michael Ladisch has patent #Canada Patent 2805881 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Michael Ladisch has patent #US Patent 008200.00018 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Michael Ladisch has patent #US Patent 10,745,726 B2 issued to Purdue Research Foundation. Author is on the Editorial Advisory Board of Bioresource Technology – M. L.