Processing materials
First Claim
1. A method of conveying a material under an electron beam, the method comprising:
- exposing a biomass material having a bulk density of less than 0.7 g/cm3 to an electron beam while conveying the biomass material on a vibratory conveyor,wherein the biomass material is treated with electron bombardment having energies of 0.5-10 MeV via the electron beam,wherein the vibratory conveyor comprises a vibratory conveyor trough,wherein the vibratory conveyor trough comprises a first surface of the vibratory conveyor trough conveying the biomass, andthe method further comprises cooling a second surface of the vibratory conveyor trough, wherein the first and second surfaces of the vibratory conveyor trough are in thermal communication.
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Abstract
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, while cooling equipment and the biomass to prevent overheating and possible distortion and/or degradation. The biomass is conveyed by a conveyor, which conveys the biomass under an electron beam from an electron beam accelerator. The conveyor can be cooled with cooling fluid. The conveyor can also vibrate to facilitate exposure to the electron beam. The conveyor can be configured as a trough that can be optionally cooled.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of conveying a material under an electron beam, the method comprising:
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exposing a biomass material having a bulk density of less than 0.7 g/cm3 to an electron beam while conveying the biomass material on a vibratory conveyor, wherein the biomass material is treated with electron bombardment having energies of 0.5-10 MeV via the electron beam, wherein the vibratory conveyor comprises a vibratory conveyor trough, wherein the vibratory conveyor trough comprises a first surface of the vibratory conveyor trough conveying the biomass, and the method further comprises cooling a second surface of the vibratory conveyor trough, wherein the first and second surfaces of the vibratory conveyor trough are in thermal communication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of conveying a material under an electron beam, the method comprising:
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exposing a biomass material having a bulk density of less than 0.7 g/cm3 to an electron beam from a scan horn while conveying the biomass material on a vibratory conveyor, wherein the biomass material is treated with electron bombardment having energies of 0.5-10 MeV via the electron beam, and wherein the vibratory conveyor is oscillated in a direction parallel to the direction of conveying and perpendicular to the scan horn of the electron beam. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification