Quantitative predictions of bioconversion of aspen by dilute acid and SPORL pretreatments using a unified combined hydrolysis factor (CHF)

A combined hydrolysis factor (CHF) was developed to predict xylan hydrolysis during pretreatments of native aspen (Populus tremuloides) wood chips. A natural extension of previously developed kinetic models allowed us to account for the effect of catalysts by dilute acid and two sulfite pretreatments at different pH values. When xylan is modeled as two fractions with different hydrolysis rates, previously identified as fast and slow xylan, the model closely matches the experimental data. Extent of xylan hydrolysis is strongly correlated with pretreatment solids yield, energy consumption for size reduction, and substrate enzymatic digestibility (SED). Composition of the pretreatment hydrolysate was less correlated with extent of hydrolysis due to carbohydrate decomposition reactions. Substrate cellulose enzymatic conversion and enzymatic hydrolysis glucose yield can be predicted to approximately 10% accuracy using CHF alone.

► Developed combined hydrolysis factor (CHF) based on slow and fast xylan hydrolysis kinetics.
► Provided excellent prediction of xylan hydrolysis, especially at high severities.
► Predicted other variables of biomass bioconversion to approximately ±10% accuracy.