Modeling the enzymatic hydrolysis of dilute-acid pretreated douglas fir

Glucose yield from the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose was investigated a s a function of cellulase enzyme loading (7-36 filter paper units [FPU]/g c ellulose) and solids concentration (7-18% total solids) for up to 72 h on d ilute sulfuric-acid pretreated Douglas Fir. The saccharification was perfor med on whole hydrolysate with no separation or washing of the solids. Enzym e loading had a significant effect on glucose yield; solids concentration h ad a much smaller effect even at higher glucose concentrations. The data we re used to generate an empirical model for glucose yield, and to fit parame ters of a cellulose hydrolysis kinetic model. Both models could be used for economic evaluation of a separate hydrolysis and fermentation process.