| abstract |
The present invention relates to an energy-efficient method for processing vegetable biomass, in particular sugar cane, for producing carbohydrates and ethanol by physico-chemical and extraction processes, such as more simple grinding arrangements, thus minimising energy consumption during the extraction of sugar cane juice. The thus processed and obtained biomass, when subjected to a fermentation process for producing ethanol, increases the process yield when compared with the conventional sugar cane. The biomass can also be used for producing enzymes, feeds and other useful products. |