Autohydrolysis -- A Process System for Utilizing Geothermal Fluids in Converting Lignocellulose Biomass to Alcohol Fuels

Abstract

This paper provides information on a process system to couple the use of geothermal fluids to the conversion of lignocelluloses biomass to alcohol. Results to date, including completed laboratory scale data for wheat straw indicate the process is relatively low temperature and compatible with a large number of geothermal resources. The process appears to be equal and perhaps superior to that of competitive lignocelluloses conversion processes being evaluation for general application such as acid hydrolysis, bacterial treatment, enzymes, and other methods. Because of the changes in the magnitude of the INEL involvement in the alcohol fuels program including the possibility of diverting the authohydrolysis process work to other than geothermal fluid applications, it is considered timely to apprise the geothermal community on the promising and largely unreported results to date.