Processing biomass

• US 8,945,352 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2011
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Inventors: Medoff, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): Fox, Allison
• Assistant Examiner(s): FERNANDEZ, SUSAN EMILY
• Application Number:
  US13/099,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20110262985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,373 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 204/157.15
• 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;

exposing the biomass to a first dose of electron beam radiation using a scanning electron beam;

conveying the biomass, using a screw; and

exposing the biomass to a second dose of electron beam radiation using a scanning electron beam;

wherein the electron beam radiation from the first dose and the second dose are each provided by a scanning electron beam device operated at a power from 50 kW to 500 kW, and the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each provided at a dose rate of 1 Mrad per second to about 10 Mrad per second; and

wherein the biomass comprises a mixture of cellulosic and lignocellulosic material.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after exposure to the second dose of electron beam radiation, 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 2 wherein the primary process comprises 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.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the product comprises a combustible fuel.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the microorganism comprises a bacterium or a yeast.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein converting comprises fermentation of sugars derived from the biomass.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein exposure to the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation is performed on the biomass while the biomass is exposed to air or air enriched with an oxidizing gas.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a combined total dosage of between about 10 Mrad and about 150 Mrad.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each provided at a power of 50 kW.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a combined total dosage of at least about 10 Mrad.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a power of 100 kW.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a power of 250 kW.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a power of 500 kW.