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Processing biomass

  • US 9,321,850 B2
  • Filed: 12/22/2014
  • Issued: 04/26/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of processing biomass materials using a screw extrusion process, the method comprising:

  • conveying biomass material through a screw extruder comprising a co-extruder having a first barrel and a second barrel, wherein the conveying step comprises conveying a first biomass material through the first barrel and conveying a second biomass material through the second barrel;

    applying compression and shear forces via a plurality of interpenetrate helicoidal surfaces within the screw extruder, the forces effective to reduce one or more dimensions of individual pieces of biomass material;

    exposing the biomass material to a plurality of scanning electron beam emitters while conveying the biomass material through the screw extruder, the scanning electron beam emitters each effecting a desired dose of electron beam radiation, wherein the exposing step comprises exposing the first biomass material to a first dose of electron beam irradiation and exposing the second biomass material to a second dose of electron beam irradiation; and

    producing an extrudate comprising the material discharged from the screw extrusion process.

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