Methods for deactivating biomass
First Claim
1. A method of deactivating biomass, comprising:
- a) performing a disrupting stage by injecting an oxidizer agent into the biomass causing disruption of cellular membranes of cells in the biomass;
b) performing a rupture stage comprising;
i) an injecting step comprising injecting a rupture gas into the biomass sufficient to pressurize the biomass to a first elevated pressure, wherein the rupture gas is compositionally different than the oxidizer agent;
ii) a depressurizing step comprising depressurizing the biomass; and
iii) repeating the injecting step and the depressurizing step of the rupture stage at least 3 times to rupture cell membranes and expose residual cell contents; and
c) digesting the residual cell contents to form a biofuel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of deactivating biomass is set forth. The method includes two stages, a disrupting stage and a rupture stage. The disrupting stage includes the steps of injecting an oxidizer gas into the biomass with minimal or significant elevated pressure and then a depressurizing of the biomass. The steps cause a disruption of cellular membranes of cells present in the biomass. The rupture stage includes the step of injecting the biomass with a rupture gas sufficient to pressurize the biomass to a second elevated pressure following by the depressurizing of the biomass. The injecting and depressurizing steps of the rupture stage can be repeated at least two times in order to rupture the cell membranes and expose residual cell contents.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A method of deactivating biomass, comprising:
-
a) performing a disrupting stage by injecting an oxidizer agent into the biomass causing disruption of cellular membranes of cells in the biomass; b) performing a rupture stage comprising; i) an injecting step comprising injecting a rupture gas into the biomass sufficient to pressurize the biomass to a first elevated pressure, wherein the rupture gas is compositionally different than the oxidizer agent; ii) a depressurizing step comprising depressurizing the biomass; and iii) repeating the injecting step and the depressurizing step of the rupture stage at least 3 times to rupture cell membranes and expose residual cell contents; and c) digesting the residual cell contents to form a biofuel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification