FROM HEMP BIOMASS TO FUEL: THE KEY ROLE OF HYDROLYSIS IN GREEN CONVERSION

Dinçer Şahan Ö., Karadağ A.

2. INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENT AND HEMP CONGRESS, Bursa, Türkiye, 15 - 16 Aralık 2025, ss.23-30, (Tam Metin Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Bursa
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.23-30
  • Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The increasing global energy demand and the adverse environmental impacts of fossil fuels have intensified the search for renewable and carbon-neutral alternatives. Among these, biofuels—notably bioethanol and biobutanol—represent viable options for sustainable energy generation. These fuels can be produced from lignocellulosic biomass, a plant-derived material composed primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has emerged as an attractive lignocellulosic resource due to its high cellulose content (up to 60%), moderate hemicellulose, and relatively low lignin levels. However, the lignin layer forms a rigid barrier that limits enzyme accessibility to cellulose chains. Therefore, biofuel production from hemp generally involves three sequential steps: pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation. This study focuses on the hydrolysis stage—the crucial step that converts cellulose and hemicellulose polymers into fermentable sugars such as glucose and xylose. Two primary techniques are commonly applied:

 Acidic hydrolysis, which employs mineral acids (e.g., H₂SO₄, HCl) under elevated temperatures, enabling rapid conversion but generating inhibitory by-products like furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural.

 Enzymatic hydrolysis, using cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes, proceeds more slowly but offers higher sugar yields, lower inhibitor formation, and environmental compatibility.

Through an in-depth literature analysis, this paper compares these hydrolysis methods in terms of sugar yield, process efficiency, energy demand, and environmental impact. The findings suggest that enzymatic hydrolysis provides a more sustainable and scalable pathway for producing bioethanol and biobutanol from hemp biomass, reinforcing the plant’s role as a key resource in future bioenergy systems.

Keywords: Hemp, Bioethanol, Biobutanol, Hydrolysis, Lignocellulosic Biomass, Renewable Energy