Conditions optimization for NaOH pretreatment on corn straw using response surface methodology

Corn straw contained a high content of lignin, which could not be utilized by anaerobic bacteria. To improve anaerobic digestion efficiency of corn straw, hydrolysis of pretreatment was demanded. It investigated pretreatment performance of NaOH and ammonia. The results showed that pretreatment performance of NaOH was better than one of ammonia. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize pretreatment conditions. Based on single factor experiment, corn straw dimension, chemical concentration and pretreatment time were concerned. It was concluded that influencing degree sequence of factors was: pretreatment time > corn straw dimension>NaOH liquor concentration. The optimal pretreatment conditions were as follows: corn straw dimension: 30mesh, NaOH liquor concentration: 5.3%, pretreatment time: 72h. After pretreated, soluble chemical oxygen demanding ( SCOD) in the leachate was 44867mg/L.