PROCESSING BIOMASS

• US 20110262985A1
• Filed: 05/02/2011
• Published: 10/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Inventors: Medoff, Marshall
• Granted Patent: US 8,945,352 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/165
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/085 Electron beams only
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0879 Solid
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/12 Processes employing electromagnetic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 9/12 characterised by structure or composition
• CPC Class Codes: B29B 9/16 Auxiliary treatment of granules
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2001/00 Use of cellulose, modified cellulose or cellulose derivatives, e.g. viscose, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/00 Other particular articles
• CPC Class Codes: C08B 1/00 Preparatory treatment of cellulose for making derivatives thereof , e.g. pre-treatment, pre-soaking, activation
• CPC Class Codes: C08H 8/00 Macromolecular compounds derived from lignocellulosic materials pretreatment thereof B27N
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/44 on vegetable substances
• 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 7/08 produced as by-product or from waste or cellulosic material substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/10 substrate containing cellulosic material
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 302/01004 Cellulase (3.2.1.4), i.e. endo-1,4-beta-glucanase
• 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 are provided for changing a molecular structure of a biomass feedstock. The methods include a screw extrusion process.

Claims

1. A method of processing biomass, the method comprising:

reducing one or more dimensions of individual pieces of biomass; and

exposing the biomass to an electron beam while conveying the biomass using a screw.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after exposure to the electron beam, subjecting the biomass to a primary process to form a product.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the primary process comprises fermentation.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein exposure to the electron beam is performed on the biomass while the biomass is exposed to air or air enriched with an oxidizing gas.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electron beam radiation is applied at a total dosage of between about 10 Mrad and about 150 Mrad.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising, after exposure to the electron beam, contacting the biomass with a microorganism and/or an enzyme having the ability to convert at least a portion of the biomass to the product.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the product comprises a combustible fuel.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the microorganism comprises a bacterium or a yeast.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein converting comprises fermenting the material.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the biomass comprises a cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic material.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the screw conveys the biomass through multiple electron beam irradiation devices.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising operating the electron beam at a power of at least 100 kW.