BIOMASS PRETREATMENT PROCESS FOR A PACKED BED REACTOR

• US 20120125551A1
• Filed: 11/16/2011
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Corteva, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (Corteva, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cohen, Jeffrey David, Camp, Carl E., Gonzalez, Yamaira
• Application Number:
  US13/297,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20120125551A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 162/70
• 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: D21C 1/06 with alkaline reacting compounds
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 3/024 with NH3 or H2O

Abstract

Biomass pretreatment using anhydrous ammonia was found to be effective in a static vessel when the ammonia can penetrate through the biomass particles or pieces in vapor state. To achieve this condition, total system moisture content is kept below 40 weight % based on total mass in the system. The pretreated biomass product is effectively saccharified to produce fermentable sugars for biocatalyst production of a product.

Claims

12-1. The process of claim 1 wherein pressure in the vessel is between 0.1 atmosphere absolute and less than 20 atmospheres gauge over steps (b) through (d).