SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR CONTINUOUS BIOMASS PROCESSING
First Claim
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1. A process for swelling biomass, comprising:
- contacting the biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass; and
applying steam to the biomass to achieve a total moisture content of from 20 wt % to 90 wt % as the steam mixes with the biomass.
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Abstract
This invention is directed to biomass processing. In one embodiment, the biomass is processed by contacting the biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system. In another embodiment, the processed biomass is fermented. Steam is also applied in the biomass processing. The steam can be applied before, during or after the biomass is first contacted with the swelling agent.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A process for swelling biomass, comprising:
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contacting the biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass; and applying steam to the biomass to achieve a total moisture content of from 20 wt % to 90 wt % as the steam mixes with the biomass. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A process for swelling biomass, comprising:
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contacting the biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass; and applying steam to the biomass to achieve a temperature of from 60°
C. to 200°
C. as the swelling agent mixes with the biomass. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A fermentation process, comprising:
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contacting biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass; applying steam to the biomass to achieve a total moisture content of from 20 wt % to 90 wt % as the steam mixes with the biomass; and fermenting at least a portion of the biomass that has been contacted with the swelling agent.
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26. A fermentation process, comprising:
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contacting biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass; applying steam to the biomass to achieve a temperature of from 60°
C. to 200°
C. as the swelling agent mixes with the biomass; andfermenting at least a portion of the biomass that has been contacted with the swelling agent.
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Specification