This paper deals with the production of bioethanol from ligno-cellulosic biomass, in particular a softwood biomass from forestry
sector is tested: pine wood chip is a residual biomass obtained from coppice maintenance with a very interesting potential.
Second generation bioethanol production prototype from ligno-cellulosic biomass consists of the following monitored parts:
steam production system, steam explosion reactor for biomass pretreatment (temperature range 180-240 °C), enzymatic
hydrolyser, fermenter and distiller. The maximum system size is around 2-3 kg input biomass each cycle.