×

Methods for deactivating biomass

  • US 9,139,460 B2
  • Filed: 03/23/2011
  • Issued: 09/22/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

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 all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×