Cellulosic Ethanol Production from High-Solids Corncob Residues by Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation on a Pilot Scale

The development of biofuel from cellulose-rich corncobs holds great potential for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and producing energy that is sustainable. This study investigated the recycling potential of corncob residues from xylose production to renewable energy cellulosic ethanol. Enzymatic digestion studies were conducted at three different scales (100 g, 4 kg, and 2 t), with 25% dry solids yielding consistent glucose release (>130 g/L), indicating industrial potential. The glucose was then subjected to yeast fermentation, which produced a maximum ethanol concentration of 58.68 g/L after 48 h. Studies on high-solids enzymatic hydrolysis systems, ranging from small-scale shake flasks to large-scale fermentors, demonstrated significant ethanol production potential, supported by Aspen Plus simulations closely aligned with experimental results in both the 4 kg and 2 t systems. These findings validated the reliability of scaling up ethanol production from corncob waste. This comprehensive approach highlights a promising method for producing sustainable energy from agricultural residues, with a focus on improving the process of ethanol manufacturing.