METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRETREATMENT AND PROCESSING OF BIOMASS

• US 20120258509A1
• Filed: 06/20/2012
• Published: 10/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Texas A&M University System
• Original Assignee: Texas A&M University System
• Inventors: Holtzapple, Mark Thomas, Davison, Richard Read, Lowery, Lee Leon Jr., Granda, Cesar Benigno
• Application Number:
  US13/528,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20120258509A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/136
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 17/20 using specific microorganisms or substances, e.g. enzymes, for activating or stimulating the treatment use of invertebrates C05F17/05
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 17/986 the other material being liquid
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 5/002 Solid waste from mechanical processing of material, e.g. seed coats, olive pits, almond shells, fruit residue, rice hulls
• CPC Class Codes: C05F 9/04 Biological compost
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 1/00 Preparation of compounds or compositions, not provided for in groups C12P3/00 - C12P39/00, by using microorganisms or enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 3/02 with inorganic bases or alkaline reacting compounds, e.g. sulfate processes
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 3/026 in presence of O2, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 5/00 Other processes for obtaining cellulose, e.g. cooking cotton linters obtaining fibres for spinning D01C; Processes characterised by the choice of cellulose-containing starting materials
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 5/005 Treatment of cellulose-containing material with microorganisms or enzymes
• CPC Class Codes: D21H 11/12 Pulp from non-woody plants or crops, e.g. cotton, flax, straw, bagasse
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/20 Fertilizers of biological origin, e.g. guano or fertilizers made from animal corpses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/145 the feedstock being materials of biological origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/40 Bio-organic fraction processing; Production of fertilisers from the organic fraction of waste or refuse

Abstract

A method of biomass pretreatment that includes forming a mixture comprising alkali and lignocellulosic biomass; controlling at least one physical property of the mixture selected from the group of pressure, temperature, and a combination thereof; contacting the mixture with a fluid; fermenting at least a portion of the mixture; and collecting carboxylate salts formed from fermenting.

Claims

1. A method of biomass pretreatment comprising:

forming a mixture comprising alkali and lignocellulosic biomass;

controlling at least one physical property of the mixture selected from the group of pressure, temperature, and a combination thereof;

contacting the mixture with a fluid;

fermenting at least a portion of the mixture; and

collecting carboxylate salts formed from fermenting.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising incubating the mixture for a time period of between about 1 week to 16 weeks.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising selecting the duration of incubation based on the controlled physical property.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is substantially agricultural waste.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluid comprises oxygen, and wherein the alkali comprises lime.

6. The method of claim 5, the method further comprising adding lime to the lignocellulosic biomass in an amount between approximately 10% and 30% of lignocellulosic biomass by weight.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

reducing the lignin content of the biomass by at least about 40%; and

producing pulp suitable for paper or cardboard production.

8. A method of biomass pretreatment comprising:

forming a mixture comprising alkali and lignocellulosic biomass;

controlling at least one physical property of the mixture selected from the group of pressure, temperature, and a combination thereof;

contacting the mixture with a fluid; and

fermenting at least a portion of the mixture.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising incubating the mixture for a time period of between about 1 and 16 weeks.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising selecting the duration of incubation based on the controlled physical property.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is substantially agricultural waste.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid comprises oxygen, and wherein the alkali comprises lime.

13. The method of claim 12, the method further comprising adding lime to the lignocellulosic biomass in an amount between approximately 10% and 30% of lignocellulosic biomass by weight.

14. The method of claim 9, the method further comprising collecting carboxylate salts formed from fermenting.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

reducing the lignin content of the biomass by at least about 40%; and

producing pulp suitable for paper or cardboard production.

16. The method of claim 8, the method further comprising:

reducing the lignin content of the biomass by at least about 40%; and

producing pulp suitable for paper or cardboard production.

17. A method of biomass pretreatment comprising:

forming a mixture comprising alkali and lignocellulosic biomass;

incubating the mixture at a predetermined temperature range for a time period of between about 1 day to about 4 weeks;

contacting the mixture with a fluid;

fermenting at least a portion of the mixture; and

collecting carboxylate salts formed from fermenting.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising selecting time period of incubation based on the predetermined temperature range.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is substantially agricultural waste, wherein the fluid comprises oxygen, and wherein the alkali comprises lime.

20. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising adding lime to the lignocellulosic biomass in an amount between approximately 10% and 30% of lignocellulosic biomass by weight.