BIOMASS SHOCK PRETREATMENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of biomass pretreatment, comprising:
- introducing a biomass to a chamber;
exposing the biomass in the chamber to a shock event to produce a shocked biomass; and
transferring the shocked biomass from the chamber.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for treating biomass that may include introducing a biomass to a chamber; exposing the biomass in the chamber to a shock event to produce a shocked biomass; and transferring the shocked biomass from the chamber. In some aspects, the method may include pretreating the biomass with a chemical before introducing the biomass to the chamber and/or after transferring shocked biomass from the chamber.
4 Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A method of biomass pretreatment, comprising:
-
introducing a biomass to a chamber; exposing the biomass in the chamber to a shock event to produce a shocked biomass; and transferring the shocked biomass from the chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of biomass pretreatment, comprising:
-
introducing a lignin-based biomass to a high-pressure vessel; exposing the biomass in the high-pressure vessel to a shock wave to produce a shocked biomass; and transferring the shocked biomass from the high-pressure vessel, wherein the shock wave comprises a pressure increase of at least 100 psi in less than 1 second of elapsed time. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
-
-
19. A method for enhancing biomass digestibility using shock treatment, the method comprising:
-
pretreating a lignin-based biomass with a chemical to produce a pretreated biomass; introducing the pretreated biomass to a high-pressure vessel; exposing the biomass to a shock event to produce a shocked biomass; and transferring the shocked biomass from the high-pressure vessel. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A shock apparatus configured for rapid transfer of a biomass to and therefrom, the apparatus comprising:
-
a main body comprising a chamber, a first end, and a second end, wherein the chamber is configured for the biomass transferred therein to be subjected to a shock; a first end cap movably associated with the first end, and a second end cap movably associated with the second end; a frame for holding the main body in a predetermined orientation; a first actuator coupled with the frame, the first actuator configured for opening and closing the first end cap; and a first clamp coupled with the frame, the first clamp being operable to hold the first end cap in a sealingly engaged position with the first end. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
-
-
33. A shock apparatus configured for rapid transfer of a biomass to and therefrom, the apparatus comprising:
-
a main body comprising a chamber, a first end, and a second end, wherein the chamber is configured for the biomass transferred therein to be subjected to a shock; a first conical shaped end cap movably associated with the first end, and a second end cap movably associated with the second end; a frame for holding the main body in a predetermined orientation; a first actuator coupled with the frame, the first actuator configured for opening and closing the first conical end cap; and a first clamp coupled with the frame, the first clamp being operable to hold the first conical end cap in a sealingly engaged position with the first end, wherein the first conical shaped end cap comprises a first sloped surface, and wherein engagement between the first clamp, the first sloped surface, and the main body results in compression therebetween.
-
Specification