Iogen Technology Makes it Possible

Process Overview

Iogen technology makes it economically feasible to convert biomass into cellulose ethanol using a combination of thermal, chemical and biochemical techniques. The yield of cellulose ethanol is more than 340 litres per tonne of fibre. The lignin in the plant fibre is used to drive the process by generating steam and electricity, thus eliminating the need for fossil CO2 sources such as coal or natural gas.

Technology Innovations

Pretreatment

Iogen developed an efficient pretreatment method to increase the surface area and "accessibility" of the plant fibre to enzymes.  We achieve this through our modified steam explosion process. This improves ethanol yields, increases pretreatment efficiency, and reduces overall cost.

Enzyme Production

Iogen has new, highly potent and efficient cellulase enzyme systems tailored to the specific pretreated feedstock. Iogen already has a worldwide business making enzymes for the pulp and paper, textiles and animal feed industries.

Enzymatic Hydrolysis

Iogen developed reactor systems that feature high productivity and high conversion of cellulose to glucose. This is accomplished through separate hydrolysis and fermentation using a multi-stage hydrolysis process.

Ethanol Fermentation

Iogen uses advanced microorganisms and fermentation systems that convert both C6 and C5 sugars into ethanol. The "beer" produced by fermentation is then distilled using conventional technology to produce cellulose ethanol for fuel grade applications.

Process Integration

Large-scale process designs include energy efficient heat integration, water recycling, and co-product production that make the overall process efficient and economical.  Iogen has successfully validated these improvements within its demonstration scale cellulose ethanol facility.