Polymer Enhanced Microfiltration of Lignocellulosic Hydrolyzates

Lignocellulosic hydrolyzates produced by hydrothermal treatment of wood chips contain lignin and carbohydrates in colloidal forms that can interfere with downstream processing. Separation of such materials  is necessary to improve the fermentability of sugars into biofuels and other bioproducts. Flocculation of such hydrolyzates prior to microfiltration improves their filterability. The effect of prior flocculation on filtration resistance, steady state fluxes and the influence of solid concentration and temperature are discussed.