Disclosed are processes for liquefaction and saccharification of
polysacharide containing biomasses having high dry matter content
(>20%) and preferably possessing large average particle size. The
polysaccharide containing biomasses are subject to enzymatic hydrolysis
in a mixer that utilizes "free fall" mixing. "Free fall" mixing provides
mechanical degradation of the biomass during hydrolysis and, in the case
of lignocellulosic biomass, promotes movement of cellulase enzymes along
cellulose chains, which improves enzymatic hydrolysis at high dry matter.