Kinetics of the enzymatic hydrolysis of AFEX-treated wheat straw /

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Brown, Russell F.
Other Authors: Akgerman, A. (degree committee member.), Dale, B. E. (degree committee member.), Engler, C. R. (degree committee member.)
Format: Thesis Book
Language:English
Published: 1990.
Subjects:
Online Access:Link to OAKTrust copy
Description
Abstract:Biomass, and cellulose in particular, represents a renewable and reliable source of environmentally safe fuels. One of the steps in converting the cellulose in plant material is the hydrolysis of cellulose to simple sugars. Although several models for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose have been proposed, there seems to be no general agreement on the correct model. The most commonly used model, the Michaelis-Menten model, was originally developed for a homogeneous reaction system. However, cellulose hydrolysis occurs in a heterogeneous environment. Here we show that the use of a new variable (phi symbol) extends the usefulness of the Michaelis-Menten equation, but that the Michaelis-Menten model is still inadequate for describing the hydrolysis of pretreated wheat straw. The HCH-1 model, which uses the new variable (phi symmbol) and which includes an adsorption step, is clearly superior to the Michaelis-Menten model. In addition, the HCH-1 model very accurately follows the Arrhenius law, so it will be useful for finding the optimum temperature of hydrolysis systems
Item Description:Typescript (photocopy).
Vita.
"Major subject: Chemical engineering."
Physical Description:xii, 172 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references.