Processing paper feedstocks

• US 10,017,801 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2017
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Inventors: Medoff, Marshall, Masterman, Thomas Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Cordas, Emily Ann
• Application Number:
  US15/596,313
• Publication Number:
  US 20170247728A1
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 21/18 Apparatus specially designed for the use of free, immobilized or carrier-bound enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 27/00 Means for mixing, agitating or circulating fluids in the vessel by introduction of gas C12M29/06, C12M29/14, mixing in general or mixers per se B01F; mixing in apparatus for chemical or physical processes B01J
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 29/06 Nozzles; Sprayers; Spargers; Diffusers per se B01F23/231, B01J19/26
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 19/02 Monosaccharides 2-ketogulonic acid C12P7/60
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 19/14 produced by the action of a carbohydrase (EC 3.2.x), e.g. by alpha-amylase , e.g. by cellulase, hemicellulase
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 2201/00 Pretreatment of cellulosic or lignocellulosic material for subsequent enzymatic treatment or hydrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 2203/00 Fermentation products obtained from optionally pretreated or hydrolyzed cellulosic or lignocellulosic material as the carbon source ethanol C12P7/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/10 substrate containing cellulosic material
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/14 Multiple stages of fermentation; Multiple types of microorganisms or re-use of microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: C13K 1/02 obtained by saccharification of cellulosic materials manufacture of fodder A23K10/32
• CPC Class Codes: C13K 13/002 Xylose
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

Methods of processing paper feedstocks are provided, as well as intermediates and products made using such methods. Certain types of paper feedstocks, in particular highly pigmented papers, and/or highly loaded papers such as paper that has been color printed, e.g., magazines, and high basis weight coated papers, e.g., magazine stock, are utilized to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials.

Claims

1. A method of producing a sugar comprising combining a paper feedstock with a high filler content and an enzymatic saccharifying agent to make a dispersion in a vessel, wherein the dispersion comprises at least 20 wt % paper feedstock solids;

and

saccharifying at least a portion of the paper feedstock while jet mixing the dispersion to produce the sugar.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the filler content is at least 20 wt %.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the paper feedstock has an ash content of at least 8 wt %.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the paper feedstock further comprises a printing ink.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the paper feedstock is in the form of magazines.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a food-based nutrient source to the dispersion.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a microorganism to the dispersion and producing a product or intermediate.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the food-based nutrient source is selected from the group consisting of grains, vegetables, residues of grains, residues of vegetables, and mixtures thereof.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the product comprises a fuel selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alcohols, organic acids, hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the microorganism comprises a yeast and/or a bacteria.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising physically treating the paper feedstock.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising processing the sugar.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein processing comprises separating xylose and/or glucose from the sugar.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein saccharification is conducted at a pH of about 3.8 to 4.2.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the physical treatment comprises mechanically treating the paper feedstock to reduce the bulk density of the paper feedstock and/or increase the BET surface area of the paper feedstock.

16. The method of claim 6 wherein the food-based nutrient source is selected from the group consisting of wheat, oats, barley, soybeans, peas, legumes, potatoes, corn, rice bran, corn meal, wheat bran, and mixtures thereof.

17. A method of producing a sugar comprising combining a paper feedstock having a basis weight of at least 35 lb. and an enzymatic saccharifying agent to make a dispersion in a vessel, wherein the dispersion comprises at least 20 wt % paper feedstock solids;

and

saccharifying at least a portion of the paper feedstock while jet mixing the dispersion to produce the sugar.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the paper feedstock has a basis weight between 35 lb. and 330 lb.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the filler content of the paper feedstock is greater than or equal to 10 wt % %.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the paper feedstock has an ash content of at least 8 wt %.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the paper feedstock further comprises a printing ink.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the paper feedstock is in the form of magazines.

23. The method of claim 17 further comprising adding a food-based nutrient source to the dispersion.

24. The method of claim 17 further comprising adding a microorganism to the dispersion and producing a product or intermediate.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the food-based nutrient source is selected from the group consisting of grains, vegetables, residues of grains, residues of vegetables, and mixtures thereof.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the product comprises a fuel selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alcohols, organic acids, hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the microorganism comprises a yeast and/or a bacteria.

28. The method of claim 17 further comprising physically treating the paper feedstock.

29. The method of claim 17 further comprising processing the sugar.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein processing comprises separating xylose and/or glucose from the sugar.

31. The method of claim 17 wherein saccharification is conducted at a pH of about 3.8 to 4.2.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein the physical treatment comprises mechanically treating the paper feedstock to reduce the bulk density of the paper feedstock and/or increase the BET surface area of the paper feedstock.

33. The method of claim 23 wherein the food-based nutrient source is selected from the group consisting of wheat, oats, barley, soybeans, peas, legumes, potatoes, corn, rice bran, corn meal, wheat bran, and mixtures thereof.