Effect of periodic high-frequency vibration with rigid spheres added on high solids enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-exploded corn straw

Abstract

The periodic low-frequency force can improve mixing efficiency and reduce water constraint, thus intensifying the high solids enzymatic hydrolysis. However, the availability of intensification methods for the periodic force with different frequencies needs to be studied. The periodic high-frequency vibration with rigid spheres added as another intensification method was proposed to shorten the time of water constraint and improve efficiency. Within this study, glucan and xylan conversions in periodic high-frequency vibration with rigid spheres added enzymatic hydrolysis (PVEH) increased by 8.3%-35% and 5.0%-33.5%, respectively, with solid loading increasing from 15% to 25%, compared with those in static state enzymatic hydrolysis (SEH). The physical properties variations of substrate indirectly proved the higher efficiency of PVEH. Based on the change regularity of constrained water release, PVEH was divided into three stages. The effects of micromixing and macromixing in three stages were analyzed. Additionally, the efficiency of high solids enzymatic hydrolysis can be enhanced by using proper intensification methods in different stages.