Abstract

The aim of this work is to investigate the potential used of pressurized CO₂ in the pre-treatment and the enzymatic hydrolysis of waste HVS A4 paperto produce a monomeric sugars (C5 and C6 sugars) which is a precursor for bioethanol production. Prior to the utilization of waste HVS A4 paper, the microcrystalline cellulose and HVS A4 paper were first used in the experiments as model compound in order to gain better insights of the process.

The experiment consists of two main parts which are the preliminary experimentsto determine the best pretreatment conditionsbetween two selected pressure values (80 and 100 bar) at a fixed temperature (T = 75 ^oC) and the enzymatic hydrolysis experiments. In the latter, the microcrystalline and HVS A4 paper were hydrolyzed at different pressures (100 bar, 125 bar, and 150 bar) and at different cellulase intakes (1% (v/v), 3% (v/v), and 5% (v/v)) with a fixed temperature (50°C). The hydrolyzed products were analyzed with a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to quantify the monomeric sugars and to determine the presence of the side products (furfural, HMF and levulinic acid).

Within the experimental range, a maximum glucose concentration of 7602.35 ppm and 4560.79 ppm are obtained for microcrystalline and HVS A4 paper, respectively. In addition, there are no furfural, HMF and levulinic acid detected in the products This study shows a potential used of pressurized CO₂ in the pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis of the model compound and gives a better insight for further application.

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