A cost-effective integrated process to convert solid-state fermented sweet sorghum bagasse into cellulosic ethanol

A cost competitive integrated technology to convert solid state fermented sweet sorghum bagasse (SS) into cellulosic ethanol which combined ethanol distillation, NaOH pretreatment and simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) was presented in this study. After solid-state fermentation, the SS was distilled with 10% (w/w dry material, DM) NaOH to separate sugar-based ethanol and pretreat lignocelluose simultaneously in one step and one distillation stripper, then the NaOH pretreated SS was subsequently converted into cellulosic ethanol by SSCF. Results showed that 69.49% ethanol theoretical yield was achieved under the optimal condition based on this novel integrated process. This integrated technology can significantly reduce the energy consumption and capital cost for cellulosic ethanol production, and ensure cellulosic ethanol produced from SS cost-effectively.