NaOH-Catalyzed Fractionation of Rice Husk Followed by Concomitant Production of Bioethanol and Furfural for Improving Profitability in Biorefinery

The alkaline fractionation of rice husk (RH) with NaOH was optimized for the purpose obtaining a high-yield recovery glucan and increasing removal rate lignin ash, resulting in hemicellulose-rich hydrolysate. determined optimal conditions were temperature 150 °C, reaction time 45 min, concentration 6% (w/v). content fractionated RH (Fr. RH) 80.1%, which significantly increased compared to raw (35.6%). High solid residue is most essential factor minimizing enzyme dosages enzymatic saccharification. final digestibilities (at 96 h) NaOH-Fr. cellulase loadings 30 FPU/g cellulose 10.5% 81.3%, respectively. Approximately 71.6% xmg (mainly xylose) concomitantly degraded into hydrolysate Hydrolysate). When this acidified sulfuric acid subjected heat treatment, furfural production yield about 64.9% obtained. results show that two-stage fed-batch fermentation glucan-rich Fr. has potential achieve high-ethanol titers 28.7 g/L.