Method and apparatus for producing alcohol or sugar using a commercial-scale bioreactor

A method of producing alcohol or sugar in a commercial-scale bioreactor comprising:

• mixing a commercial enzyme preparation comprising at least one group 3 hydrolase, that has been stabilized for shipment or storage, with a dilute aqueous solution comprising a polymeric compound in a mixing vessel in a ratio of 1 part commercial enzyme preparation to at least 4 parts of the dilute aqueous solution to form a diluted enzyme solution;
• passing the diluted enzyme solution through a chamber containing at least one metal particulate matter or metal-impregnated particulate matter to produce a reformulated enzyme solution;
• and
• within 100 hours of production of the reformulated enzyme solution, transferring at least a portion of the reformulated enzyme solution to a commercial-scale bioreactor containing at least 20,000 gallons of at least one of starch or cellulose to produce an alcohol or sugar, wherein a total amount of enzyme in the form of the reformulated enzyme solution added to the bioreactor is at least 20% less than the amount of enzyme in the form of the commercial enzyme preparation that would have been required to produce an equivalent amount of alcohol or sugar.