Cellulosic ethanol is chemically identical to first generation bioethanol, however it is produced from various raw materials via a more complex process (cellulose hydrolysis).
In contrast to first generation bioethanol, which is derived from sugar or starch producing food crops (e.g. wheat, corn, sugar beet, sugar cane, etc), cellulosic ethanol may be produced from biomass: agricultural residues (e.g. straw, corn stover), other lignocellulosic raw materials (e.g. wood chips) or energy crops (e.g. miscanthus, switchgrass).
These lignocellulosic raw materials are more abundant and generally considered to be more sustainable, however they need to be broken down (hydrolysed) into simple sugars prior to distillation. This may be achieved using either acid or enzyme hydrolysis. Both approaches have been the subject of continuing research interest since the 1970s, and large investments are being made in the US and Europe to speed up development of this route to bioethanol.
Dedert has provided evaporators for Biomass and has successfully dried lignin in Ring Dryers. Contact us for testing of evaporating and drying of cellulosic ethanol feedstocks.
For more detail on Dedert Dryers and Evaporators for the biomass industry, please see our Technologies pages.
