Apparatus and process for fermentation of biomass hydrolysate

Abstract

A process for converting biomass hydrolysate into biofuel, the process comprising the steps of: obtaining a biomass hydrolysate solution comprising monosaccharides; immobilizing Pachysolen tannophilus ; contacting the solution with the immobilized Pachysolen tannophilus ; and recovering a fermented biofuel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medium for fermenting biomass hydrolysate, the medium comprising:
 calcium alginate beads ranging from 0.1 mm to 5 mm in diameter;   a microbe strain capable of fermenting pentoses immobilized in the calcium alginate beads, wherein the immobilized microbe strain is capable of converting at least 70% of available pentoses in a biomass hydrolysate to a biofuel.   
     
     
         2 . A medium for fermenting biomass hydrolysate, the medium comprising:
 an immobilization substance capable of providing a micro environment for a microbe strain;   a microbe strain capable of fermenting pentoses into a biofuel immobilized in the immobilization substance, wherein the microbe strain comprises about 5% by volume of the immobilization substance.