Not sure what the big deal here is: acid hydrolysis of cellulose for biofuel production is an old technique. Maybe it's different because they're using hydrocholric acid rather than sulfuric? (The advantage being what?)
At any rate, the real problem with cellulose biofuels (and biofuels generally) are the low energy density of the feedstock relative to the product (and the associated logisticalchallenges). Alcohols also have the problem that they poison the fermenting organism before the alcohol concentration reaches the point where it separates naturally, so you wind up spending a lot of energy distilling the mash.
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At any rate, the real problem with cellulose biofuels (and biofuels generally) are the low energy density of the feedstock relative to the product (and the associated logistical challenges). Alcohols also have the problem that they poison the fermenting organism before the alcohol concentration reaches the point where it separates naturally, so you wind up spending a lot of energy distilling the mash.
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