May 9-10, 2012 ~ Ames, Iowa
Hybrid processing is the biological utilization of thermochemically-depolymerized biomass. This thermochemical treatment of biomass yields either sugar- and organic-acid-rich bio-oil (i.e. "pyrolytic sugars") or CO- and H2-rich syngas. This thermochemical treatment is a distinct alternative to enzymatic breakdown or hydrolysis of biomass. These sugars, organic acids, and syngas are attractive substrates for the fermentative production of biorenewable fuels and chemicals.