2nd generation biofuels are produced by fermentation of glucose and cellobiose (glucose dimer) by suitable microorganisms. Glucose and cellobiose are produced by depolymerization of lignocellulosic feedstock. Unfortunately biomass depolymerization produces partially the desired sugar products and other non-fermentable oligosaccharides, compromising the efficiency of the fermentation and making biofuels more expensive. Low cost and efficient separation of the fermentable and non-fermentable sugars can give a solution. The sugar stream containing glucose and cellobiose can be directed to the fermenattion reactor while the non-fermentable sugar stream can be recovered and further depolymerized achieving that way higher biomass conversion to useful sugars. We propose that a membrane can be utilized to separate the two streams. Due to the very similar molecular sizes and low molecular weight the proposed separation is challenging and requires good control over the size and dispersity of the membrane pores. This work demonstrates the fabrication and application of block copolymer membranes with unprecedented molecular weight cut-off and selectivity in ultrafiltration separations of this type. Membrane processing and separation characteristics will be discussed while the efficiency of the separation will be shown by fermentation experiments performed with the membrane purified sugars .

Development of nanoporous membranes by block copolymer self-assembly for biofuel production

249th National Meeting (2015)

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