| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for the production of biogas from lignocellulosic materials, comprising the steps of: (a) treatment of plant biomass by steam explosion; and (b) hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion o the material treated in step (a) by anaerobic bacteria; wherein steps (a) and (b) are carried out in separate reactors, step (b) is carried out in a single reactor and the products of step (b) are biogas and the digested biomass. Alternatively, the hydrolysis and the digestion can be carried out in separate reactors. The present invention further relates to a system for carrying out the process of producing biogas of the present invention, which comprises: (i) first reactor for the treatment of plant biomass by steam explosion; and (ii) second reactor for hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion of the material treated in step (i) by anaerobic bacteria. In a preferred embodiment, both process and system of the invention can further comprise, in the hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion reactor, cellulase enzymes with or without addition of xylanases. In an alternative configuration, the hydrolysis can take place in separate reactors. |