Microwave-Assisted Organsolv-Pretreatment of Biological Residues

A pretreatment step withthe purpose of increasing the specific surface area, a decrease of lignin content and a decrease of cellulose crystallinity, is therefore an overriding process step before the main saccharification and enzymatic implementation. One approach is the use of organic solvents, for example with ethanol. With the present work, a method with using of microwave-assisted heating will be described. Microwave-assisted reactions can partially run with a drastically increased rate, increase the yields and provide clearer response gradients.