review of the production of ethanol from softwood

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 59; no. 6; pp. 618 - 628
• Main Authors: Galbe, M, Zacchi, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer-Verlag 01-09-2002; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biofuel production; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biotechnology; Carbon dioxide; Cellulose; Cellulose - metabolism; Chemical Engineering; Crop residues; Diesel fuels; economics; Energy; Energy consumption; Engineering and Technology; Engines; Ethanol; Ethanol - metabolism; ethanol production; Fermentation; Forest residues; Fossil fuels; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gasoline; hemicellulose; Hydrocarbons; hydrolysis; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Industrial plant emissions; Kemiteknik; Lignin; Lignin - metabolism; Lignocellulose; microbiology; Nuclear energy; Nuclear power plants; plant residues; Polysaccharides - metabolism; Process engineering; Raw materials; softwood; Softwoods; Studies; Sugar; Sugarcane; Teknik; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Wood; Biofuel; Softwood; Lignocellulosics; Review; Ethanol; Production
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-002-1058-9

Ethanol produced from various lignocellulosic materials such as wood, agricultural and forest residues has the potential to be a valuable substitute for, or complement to, gasoline. One of the major resources in the Northern hemisphere is softwood. This paper reviews the current status of the technology for ethanol production from softwood, with focus on hemicellulose and cellulose hydrolysis, which is the major problem in the overall process. Other issues of importance, e.g. overall process configurations and process economics are also considered.