BIOMASS PRETREATMENT

• US 20110079219A1
• Filed: 09/23/2010
• Published: 04/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andritz Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Poet Research Inc.
• Inventors: Bradford, Wiley D., McDonald, William F., Carlson, David Charles
• Granted Patent: US 8,597,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 127/1
• CPC Class Codes: C13K 1/02 obtained by saccharification of cellulosic materials manufacture of fodder A23K10/32
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel

Abstract

A system for pre-treating biomass for the production of ethanol is provided. The system comprises a method for pre-treating biomass. The method comprises supplying biomass to a steaming bin, wherein the biomass is mixed with water, and inputting the steamed biomass to a first pretreatment reactor, wherein the steamed biomass comprises liquids and solids. The method also comprises removing a bulk of liquids from the solids and feeding the solids into a second pretreatment reactor. The method further comprises applying a pressure drop to the solids in the second pretreatment reactor, wherein the pressure drop opens up a structure of the solids, and sending the solids to a fermentation process for ethanol processing.

Claims

1. A method for pre-treating biomass, comprising:

(a) supplying biomass to a steaming bin, wherein the biomass includes water;

(b) placing the pre-steamed biomass to a first pretreatment reactor, wherein the pre-steamed biomass includes acid, liquids, and solids;

(c) removing at least some portion of the liquids from the solids to generate substantial solids;

(d) feeding the substantial solids into a second pretreatment reactor;

(e) applying a pressure drop to the substantial solids in the second pretreatment reactor, wherein the pressure drop opens up a structure of the solids; and

(f) sending the substantial solids to at least one of a saccharification process and a fermentation process for ethanol processing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises releasing a maximum amount of pentose sugar.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprising supplying biomass that comprises up to 35 percent corn cobs.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprising supplying biomass that comprises about 30 percent corn cobs.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprising supplying biomass that comprises up to 50 percent corn leaves and husks.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprising supplying biomass that comprises about 45 percent corn leaves and husks.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprising supplying biomass that comprises up to 30 percent corn stalks.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprises supplying biomass that comprises about 20 percent corn stalks.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprises mixing the water with the biomass to a range of about 10 to 50 percent moisture.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprises supplying biomass that comprises about 30 to 55 percent cellulose.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprises supplying biomass that comprises about 20 to 50 percent hemicellulose.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprises supplying biomass that comprises about 10 to 25 percent lignin.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprises supplying biomass that comprises about 1 to 10 percent ash.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprises heating the biomass to about 100 degrees Celsius.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises forcing the biomass out of the first pretreatment reactor with water and mechanical agitation.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises counter current washing of the solids.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises separating a liquid stream comprising 1 to 8 percent solids.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises separating a liquid stream comprising 1 to 6 percent solids.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises separating a liquid stream comprising 1 to 5 percent solids.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises separating a liquid stream comprising 1 to 4 percent solids.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises providing a xylose sugar stream that contains 1 to 8 percent xylose.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises providing a xylose sugar stream that contains from about 0 to 1 percent glucose.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises providing a xylose sugar stream that comprises about 0 to 1 percent arabinose.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the feeding comprises pressing the substantial solids to approximately 40 to 60 percent solids.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending comprises sending the substantial solids that comprise 45 to 70 percent cellulose.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending comprises sending the substantial solids that comprise 5 to 20 percent hemicellulose.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending comprises sending the substantial solids that comprise 20 to 32 percent lignin.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending comprises sending the substantial solids that comprise 1 to 10 percent ash.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the feeding comprises heating the substantial solids from about 150 degrees Celsius to about 210 degrees Celsius.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the heating comprises applying direct contact steam to the substantial solids.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the feeding comprises holding the substantial solids in the second pretreatment reactor for up to five minutes.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying comprises supplying an acid solution to the biomass.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the acid solution is controlled at an acid level from a range of 0.1 to 4.0 percent w/w.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the acid solution is controlled at an acid level from a range 0.25 to 2.0 percent w/w.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the acid solution is controlled at an acid level from a range 0.4 to 1.5 percent w/w.

36. The method of claim 32, wherein the acid solution is controlled at an acid level from a range 0.5 to 1.25 percent w/w.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the acid solution is controlled at an acid level from about 0.75 to 1.0 percent w/w.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises conducting a steeping process at a temperature range from 50 degrees Celsius to 180 degrees Celsius.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises conducting a steeping process at a temperature range from 75 degrees Celsius to 170 degrees Celsius.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises conducting a steeping process at a temperature range from 100 degrees Celsius to 160 degrees Celsius.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises conducting a steeping process at a temperature range from 100 degrees Celsius to 130 degrees Celsius.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the removing comprises conducting a steeping process at a temperature range from 100 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius.

43. An apparatus for pre-treating biomass, comprising:

a steaming bin that receives and pre-steams biomass, wherein the biomass includes water;

a first pretreatment reactor that receives the pre-steamed biomass, wherein the pre-steamed biomass includes acid, liquids, and solids;

a drainer that removes at least some portion of the liquids from the solids to generate substantial solids;

a second pretreatment reactor that receives and applies a pressure drop to the substantial solids, wherein the pressure drop opens up a structure of the substantial solids; and

a valve that sends the substantial solids to at least one of a saccharification process or a fermentation process for ethanol processing.