Processing materials

• US 9,453,250 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2014
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Inventors: Medoff, Marshall, Masterman, Thomas Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, RUTH A
• Application Number:
  US14/224,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20140206044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/001 Processes specially adapted for distillation or rectification of fermented solutions
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/002 by continuous methods
• 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 2203/00 Fermentation products obtained from optionally pretreated or hydrolyzed cellulosic or lignocellulosic material as the carbon source ethanol C12P7/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 5/00 Preparation of hydrocarbons or halogenated hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 5/026 Unsaturated compounds, i.e. alkenes, alkynes or allenes
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/02 containing a hydroxy group
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/10 substrate containing cellulosic material
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/14 Multiple stages of fermentation; Multiple types of microorganisms or re-use of microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/16 Butanols
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/18 polyhydric
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/24 containing a carbonyl group
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/28 Acetone-containing products
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/42 Hydroxy-carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/52 Propionic acid; Butyric acids
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/54 Acetic acid vinegar C12J
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/56 Lactic acid
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/62 Carboxylic acid esters
• 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

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a liquid medium and a saccharifying agent.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

placing a liquid medium comprising water and at least 20% solids of an unsaccharified electron beam irradiated lignocellulosic feedstock in a vessel;

mixing the feedstock and water with a jet mixer to form a slurry;

saccharifying the electron beam irradiated lignocellulosic feedstock in the vessel, while mixing the slurry with the jet mixer, to form a sugar solution, and in the same vessel, converting the sugar solution to a product, utilizing an enzyme and/or a microorganism while continuing to mix with the jet mixer,

wherein the irradiated lignocellulosic feedstock has been irradiated with a dose of at least 10 Mrad.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises distillation of the product.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein distillation comprises vacuum distillation.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein distillation is performed at a vacuum of less than 70 Torr.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein distillation is performed at ambient temperature.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the product comprises an alcohol.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedstock has a bulk density of less than about 0.75 g/cm3.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid medium contains a saccahrifying agent that comprises an enzyme.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising monitoring the glucose level of a mixture of the feedstock, the liquid medium and the saccharifying agent during saccharification.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising adding additional feedstock and saccharifying agent during saccharification.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the vessel comprises a tank.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein converting comprises fermentation of the sugar solution.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising monitoring oxygen level in the vessel during fermentation.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the sugar solution further comprises xylose.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising converting xylose to xylitol.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein at least 30% solids of the lignocellulosic material is placed in the vessel.