Processing materials

• US 9,873,897 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2017
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xyleco, Inc.
• Inventors: Medoff, Marshall, Masterman, Thomas Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Ruth A
• Application Number:
  US15/457,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20170183692A1
• Time in Patent Office: 316 Days
• 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 at least 10% solids of an electron beam irradiated lignocellulosic feedstock in a vessel, irradiation having been carried out under conditions selected to cause chain scission of the feedstock; and

saccharifying the feedstock in the vessel, while mixing with a jet mixer, to obtain a sugar solution having a final concentration of glucose of at least 15%.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein saccharifying comprises contacting the feedstock with a cellobiase or cellulase enzyme.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the sugar solution has a final concentration of glucose of at least 30%.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising transporting the sugar solution to a manufacturing facility.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising converting sugars in the sugar solution to a product.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the product comprises an alcohol or an organic acid.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the feedstock is selected from the group consisting of wood, grasses, rice hulls, bagasse, jute, hemp, flax, bamboo, sisal, abaca, straw, switchgrass, alfalfa, hay, corn cobs, corn stover, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the jet mixer comprises one or more jet flow agitators.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising reducing the volume of water in the sugar solution.