| dc.description.abstract | In order to prevent the detrimental effects of climate change in the near future, novel energy solutions must be explored and developed today. Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), a major component in wood-like plant matter, is a primary candidate for the production of biofuels as a carbon-neutral energy alternative due to its abundance and renewable nature. Although lignocellulose is cheap and readily available, the process of converting LCB into valuable products (e.g., fuels, chemicals) can be uneconomical due to the recalcitrance of LCB. Traditionally, in order to improve the economic viability of LCB fermentation, LCB is chemically pre-treated to disrupt its rigid cell structure and achieve greater yields, however, this pretreatment remains expensive and can result in wasted lignin and hemicellulose in the LC biomass (Kucharska, 2018). In contrast to an expensive and wasteful chemical pretreatment of LCB, a mechanical cotreatment approach to mixed-acid fermentation can be key to making the fermentation process economical by achieving similar yields at a reduced cost. In this thesis, the effects of grinding LCB over the course of a mixed-acid fermentation process are explored. Preliminary data suggests a mechanical cotreatment approach on corn stover can yield results similar to chemical pretreatments for $4.69 per grind per tonne of biomass. | en |
