Non-Pressurised Pre-Treatment, Enzymatic Hydrolysis And Fermentation Of Waste Fractions

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for production of fermentation products, including bioethanol by non-pressurised pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of waste fractions containing mono- and/or polysaccharides, having a relatively high dry matter content. The process in its entirety, i.e. from non-pressurised pre-treatment over enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to sorting of fermentable and non-fermentable solids can be processed at a relatively high dry matter content in a single vessel or similar device using free fall mixing for the mechanical processing of the waste fraction.

1 . A process for the production of fermentation products from mono- and/or polysaccharide containing waste fractions having a dry matter content above 20% involving subjecting said waste fractions to;
 non-pressurised pre-treatment   enzymatic hydrolysis   fermentation   
       wherein non-pressurised pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis are carried out in a single vessel or similar device using free fall mixing for the mechanical processing of the waste. 
     
     
         2 . A process according to  claim 1 , wherein the said fermentation, or part of it is carried out in the same said vessel used for non-pressurised pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. 
     
     
         3 . A process according to  claim 2 , wherein recovery of the resulting fermentation products is performed in the same said vessel used for non-pressurised pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation by applying heat and/or vacuum to the vessel. 
     
     
         4 . A process according to any of  claims 2  or  3 , wherein a sorting/separation of the non-fermentable solids from the fermented mash is performed in the same said vessel used for non-pressurised pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. 
     
     
         5 . A process according to  claim 3 , wherein said recovery in the same said vessel is only done from the solid part of the fermented mash after separation/removal of the liquid part. 
     
     
         6 . A process according to any of the  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the said mono- and/or polysaccharide containing waste fractions are derived from households such as e.g. unsorted municipal solid waste (MSW), MSW processed in some central sorting, shredding or pulping device, source sorted waste from households, organic fractions and paper rich waste fractions, RPF (Refuse-Derived-Fuel) fractions. 
     
     
         7 . A process according to any of the  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the said mono- and/or polysaccharide containing waste fractions are derived from the industry such as e.g. general industry waste fractions containing paper or other organic fractions, waste fractions from paper industry e.g. recycling facilities, waste fractions from food and feed industry, waste fractions from the medicinal industry. 
     
     
         8 . A process according to any of the  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the said mono- and/or polysaccharide containing waste fractions are derived from agriculture or farming related sectors such as e.g. waste fractions from processes including sugar or starch rich product such as potatoes and beet, contaminated or in other ways spoiled agricultural products such as grain, potatoes and beet not exploitable for food or feed purposes, manure, or manure derived products. 
     
     
         9 . A process according to any of the  claims 1  to  5 , wherein the said mono- and/or polysaccharide containing waste fractions are derived from municipal, county or state related or regulated activities such as e.g. sludge from waste water treatment plants, fibre or sludge fractions from biogas processing, general waste fractions from the public sector containing paper or other organic fractions. 
     
     
         10 . A process according to any of the  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the non-pressurised pre-treatment is performed using steam. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 10 , wherein the treatment time of the non-pressurised pre-treatment is between 0-120 min. with a temperature ranging between 60-110° C. and a steam admission of 0-2 kg/kg dry matter. 
     
     
         12 . A process according to any of the  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the enzymatic hydrolysis of the mono- and/or polysaccharide containing waste fraction is performed with hydrolytic enzymes, supplied in either native form or in form of microbial organisms giving rise to the accumulation of such enzymes. 
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 12 , wherein said enzymatic hydrolysis lasts for 0-96 hours and with a temperature ranging from 20-105° C. 
     
     
         14 . A process according to any of the  claims 1  to  9 , wherein said fermentation is performed by the action of standard, cultivated or manipulated yeast and/or bacteria or any other microorganism capable of producing ethanol or other specific biochemicals. 
     
     
         15 . A process according to  claim 14 , wherein said fermentation last for 1-150 hours with a temperature ranging from 20-105° C. 
     
     
         16 . A process according to any of the  claims 1  to  9 , wherein the mixing of the mono- and/or polysaccharide containing waste fraction is performed with free fall mixers such as drum mixers, tumble mixers or similar mixing devices. 
     
     
         17 . Use of a material produced by a process according to any of the  claims 1  to  16 , in a process for bioethanol or/and any other fermentation product processing. 
     
     
         18 . Use of a process according to any of  claims 1 - 16  as part of a process for the production of bioethanol or/and any other fermentation product.