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Enzymatic production of cellulose nanofibers and sugars in a stirred-tank reactor: determination of impeller speed, power consumption, and rheological behavior

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Abstract

An integrated biorefinery process is proposed here for the enzymatic production of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and sugars in a stirred-tank reactor using eucalyptus cellulose pulp as feedstock. Process engineering variables required for scale-up such as impeller speed, power consumption, and rheological behavior were determined under different experimental conditions of solids loading (10 and 15% w/v) and enzyme dosage (5 and 10 mg/g). Based on the mixing time, an impeller speed rotation of 470 rpm was selected for provision of adequate homogenization of the medium. Total energy consumption ranged from 161 to 207 W h and showed that significantly lower power consumption could be achieved using 10 mg/g enzyme loading with 10% w/v solids. Evaluation of rheological behavior showed that transition to a turbulent flow regime during the enzymatic hydrolysis reaction resulted in a constant power number ranging from 2.06 to 2.51, which was also lower for 10 mg/g enzyme loading with 10% w/v solids. Integrated analysis of glucose released and CNF generated after enzymatic hydrolysis showed that glucose values varied from 42.0 to 90.6 g/L, corresponding to cellulose conversion ranging from 57.2 to 76.4%. These values are suitable for the microbial fermentation of sugars into biofuels, while leaving a useful amount of residual nanomaterial. The residual solids of the enzymatic reactions presented the characteristics of CNF, as shown by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses, with crystallinity index (CI) values of 72–81%, as well as by morphological analysis using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), which revealed diameters in the range 18–31 nm, making this nanomaterial suitable for use in a wide range of industrial applications. The findings indicated the potential of using conventional stirred-tank reactors for enzymatic hydrolysis for the integrated production of CNF and glucose, hence contributing to the implementation of future large-scale biorefineries.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Embrapa, MCTI/SISNANO, CNPq, CAPES, and FAPESP (Grant #2016/10636-8) (all from Brazil) for their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Program of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil

    Thalita J. Bondancia, Antonio J. G. Cruz, Alberto C. Badino & Cristiane S. Farinas

  2. Nanotechnology National Laboratory for Agriculture (LNNA), Embrapa Instrumentação, Rua XV de Novembro 1452, São Carlos, SP, 13561-206, Brazil

    Thalita J. Bondancia, Luiz Henrique C. Mattoso, José Manoel Marconcini & Cristiane S. Farinas

  3. Engineering Departament, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, MG, 37200-00, Brazil

    Luciano J. Corrêa

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  1. Thalita J. Bondancia
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  2. Luciano J. Corrêa
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Correspondence to Cristiane S. Farinas.

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Bondancia, T.J., Corrêa, L.J., Cruz, A.J.G. et al. Enzymatic production of cellulose nanofibers and sugars in a stirred-tank reactor: determination of impeller speed, power consumption, and rheological behavior. Cellulose 25, 4499–4511 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1876-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1876-2

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