System and Method of Preparing Pre-Treated Biorefinery Feedstock from Raw and Recycled Waste Cellulosic Biomass

• US 20100287826A1
• Filed: 07/31/2008
• Published: 11/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard B. Hoffman
• Original Assignee: Richard B. Hoffman
• Inventors: Barnes, Frank S., Hoffman, Richard B.
• Granted Patent: US 11,001,776 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 44/605
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/363 Pellets or granulates
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/44 on vegetable substances
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 3/22 Other features of pulping processes
• CPC Class Codes: D21C 5/00 Other processes for obtaining cellulose, e.g. cooking cotton linters obtaining fibres for spinning D01C; Processes characterised by the choice of cellulose-containing starting materials
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 1/005 by means of disintegrating, e.g. crushing, shredding, milling the materials to be dried F26B17/102, F26B17/103 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 17/102 with material recirculation, classifying or disintegrating means F26B17/103 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/28 by radiation, e.g. from the sun
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 3/347 Electromagnetic heating, e.g. induction heating or heating using microwave energy
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 5/02 by using ultrasonic vibrations using sonic energy generated by pulse jet combustion F26B23/026
• 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

A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent processing first comprises moving at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path. Then, the stream of cellulosic biomass material can be explosively dried and pulverized to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material. Then, the stream of cellulosic biomass material can be electrically degraded the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds. Additional pre-treatment and post-treatment processes can also be included.

Claims

1-116. -116. (canceled)

117. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent biofinery processing, the method comprising:

moving at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path;

explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce the moisture content and the particle size of the cellulosic biomass material; and

electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material to further disrupt the lignocellulosic bonds, wherein electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of;

(a) using a high voltage impulse generator and a plurality of elongated electrodes to apply a high intensity pulsed electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material as the cellulosic biomass material moves through a pulsed electric field treatment zone, and wherein backpressure is applied to the cellulosic biomass material during movement through the pulsed electric field treatment zone to eliminate excess air gaps,

(b) applying a high intensity laser field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the high intensity laser field is applied with a plurality of laser beams, and the stream of cellulosic biomass material passing adjacent a reflecting mirror used by the laser beams,

(c) applying a continuous microwave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material to excite the remaining moisture content within the cellulosic biomass material, wherein the microwave energy field is created with a microwave energy generator and passed through a dielectric plate operating as a partial reflecting mirror and at least a portion of the microwave energy field is reflected back off of a reflecting plate through the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(d) applying a pressurized plasma wave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the pressurized plasma wave energy field is created with a radio frequency generator that creates a radio frequency wave field,

(e) applying an ultrasonic energy wave field with an ultrasonic wave generating device to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, the ultrasonic energy wave field creating one or more areas of intense destructive cavitation forces within the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(f) applying an accelerating electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(g) any combination thereof.

118. The method of claim 117, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises reducing the particle size of the stream of cellulosic biomass material to a size in the range of approximately 625 mesh to approximately 4 mesh.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises reducing the particle size of the stream of cellulosic biomass material to a size in the range of approximately 500 mesh to approximately 200 mesh,

120. The method of claim 117, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of:

(a) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed rotating flail processing unit, and

(b) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit.

121. The method of claim 120, wherein passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a rotating flail processing device comprises flail members rotating at a processing tip speed of at least approximately 300 mph.

122. The method of claim 120, wherein the flail processing unit has rotating flail members comprising chains.

123. The method of claim 121, wherein passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a rotating flail processing device comprises flail members rotating at a processing tip speed in a range of approximately 300 mph to approximately 765 mph.

124. The method of claim 120, wherein passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit comprises entraining the cellulosic biomass material in air moving through the air flow processing unit at a speed of at least approximately 645 mph.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit comprises entraining the cellulosic biomass material in air moving through the air flow processing unit at a speed in the range of approximately 645 mph to approximately 990 mph.

126. The method of claim 117, further comprising at least one of:

(a) removing an initial portion of the moisture content from the stream of cellulosic biomass material prior to explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(b) screening the stream of cellulosic biomass material to remove large fraction material from the stream prior to explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(c) separating non-biomass material from the stream of cellulosic biomass material one of prior to and after explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material.

127. The method of claim 117, further comprising at least one of:

(a) performing hydrolysis on the cellulosic biomass material to create a liquid fuel component after explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(b) thermally converting the cellulosic biomass material to create a liquid fuel component after explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material.

128. The method of claim 117, wherein moving the at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path comprises moving the at least one stream of biomass material at a rate of at least approximately 10 tons per hour.

129. The method of claim 128, wherein moving at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path comprises moving the at least one stream of biomass material at a rate in the range of approximately 20 tons per hour to approximately 70 tons per hour.

130. The method of claim 117, further comprising pre-size-reducing the biomass material to particles sized in the range of approximately ½

″

to approximately 3″

prior to explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the at least one stream.

131. The method of claim 117, further comprising measuring at least one of a moisture content, a chemical make-up, a specific gravity, and an electrical conductivity of the at least one stream of cellulosic biomass material.

132. The method of claim 131, wherein the measuring is performed after explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the stream.

133. The method of claim 131, wherein measuring moisture content comprises measuring moisture content with a moisture sensor, measuring the chemical make-up comprises taking a near infrared spectrometer reading of the stream, and measuring electrical conductivity comprises taking an electrical conductivity reading with an electrical conductivity meter.

134. The method of claim 117, wherein the at least one stream comprises a plurality of streams, each of which streams comprises a distinct type of cellulosic biomass material.

135. The method of claim 134, and blending at least two of the plurality of streams together to generate a blended stream.

136. The method of claim 134, wherein at least one of the plurality of streams comprises a raw cellulosic biomass material, a recycled cellulosic biomass material, and a combination thereof.

137. The method of claim 134, further comprising at least one of:

(a) measuring at least one characteristic of each of the plurality of streams prior to blending such that the streams are blended in accordance with a ratio based on the measured characteristics, and

(b) measuring at least one characteristic of the blended stream.

138. The method of claim 137, wherein measuring at least one characteristic of each of the plurality of streams and measuring the characteristic of the blended stream comprises measuring at least one of a moisture content with a moisture content sensor, a chemical make-up with an infrared spectrometer, a specific gravity, and an electrical conductivity with an electrical conductivity meter.

139. The method of claim 117, further comprising applying a pre-treatment solution to the cellulosic biomass material after explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the stream, the pre-treatment solution comprising at least one of:

(a) a dilute acid,

(b) a dilute alkaline,

(c) an organic solvent,

(d) an ionic liquid solvent,

(e) a microbial agent,

(f) an enzyme,

(g) a binder, and

(h) any combination thereof.

140. The method of claim 139, further comprising compressing the cellulosic biomass material into a plurality of one of pellets, cubes, and briquettes after explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the stream.

141. The method of claim 140, further comprising adding identification indicia onto each of the plurality of one of pellets, cubes, or briquettes to indicate a distinct characteristic thereof.

142. The method of claim 117, further comprising passing the at least one stream through a fiberizer in a dry fiberization process prior to one of explosively drying and pulverizing, and electrically degrading, the stream.

177. A biorefinery feedstock product prepared in accordance with the method of claim 117.

143. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent processing, the method comprising:

moving at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path;

explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material; and

electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, wherein electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of;

(a) applying a high intensity pulsed electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(b) applying a high intensity laser field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(c) applying a microwave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(d) applying a pressurized plasma wave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(e) applying an ultrasonic energy wave field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(f) applying an accelerating electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(g) any combination thereof.

144. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent processing, the method comprising:

moving at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path;

explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of;

(a) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high-speed rotating flail processing unit, and

(b) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit; and

electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material to further disrupt the lignocellulosic bonds.

145. The method of claim 144, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises reducing the particle size of the stream of cellulosic biomass material to a size in the range of approximately 625 mesh to approximately 4 mesh.

146. The method of claim 144, wherein electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of:

(a) using a high voltage impulse generator and a plurality of elongated electrodes to apply a high intensity pulsed electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material as the cellulosic biomass material moves through a pulsed electric field treatment zone, and wherein backpressure is applied to the cellulosic biomass material in the pulsed electric field treatment zone,

(b) applying a high intensity laser field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the high intensity laser field is applied with a plurality of laser beams, the stream of cellulosic biomass material passing adjacent a reflecting mirror associated with the laser beams,

(c) applying a microwave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the microwave energy field is created with a microwave energy generator and passed through a microwave power dispersal lens and a dielectric plate operating as a partial reflecting mirror and at least a portion of the microwave energy field is reflected back off of a reflecting plate through the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(d) applying a pressurized plasma wave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the pressurized plasma wave energy field is created with a radio frequency generator that creates a radio frequency wave field and is applied in a pressurized environment,

(e) applying an ultrasonic energy wave field with a plurality of piezoelectric transducers to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, the ultrasonic energy wave field creating one or more areas of intense destructive cavitation forces within the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(f) applying an accelerating electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(g) any combination thereof.

147. The method of claim 144, further comprising at least one of:

(a) removing moisture from the stream of cellulosic biomass material prior to explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(b) screening the stream of cellulosic biomass material to remove large fraction material from the stream prior to explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(c) separating non-biomass material from the stream one of prior to and after explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material.

148. The method of claim 144, further comprising at least one of:

(a) performing hydrolysis on the cellulosic biomass material to create a liquid fuel component after explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(a) thermally converting the cellulosic biomass material to create a liquid fuel component after explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material.

149. The method of claim 148, wherein thermally converting comprises one of pyrolysis, gasification, plasma arc gasification, and any combination thereof.

150. The method of claim 144, wherein the at least one stream comprises a plurality of streams, each of which comprises a distinct source of cellulosic biomass material, the method further comprises blending at least two of the plurality of streams together to generate a blended stream.

151. The method of claim 150, further comprising at least one of:

(a) measuring at least one characteristic of each of the plurality of streams prior to blending such that the streams are blended in accordance with a ratio based on the measured characteristics, and

(b) measuring at least one characteristic of the blended stream.

152. The method of claim 144, further comprising applying a pre-treatment solution to the cellulosic biomass material after explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading the stream, the pre-treatment solution comprising at least one of:

(a) a dilute acid,

(b) a dilute alkaline,

(c) an organic solvent,

(d) an ionic liquid solvent,

(e) a microbial agent,

(f) an enzyme,

(g) a binder, and

(h) any combination thereof.

153. The method of claim 144, further comprising passing the at least one stream through a fiberizer in a dry fiberization process prior to one of explosively drying and pulverizing, and electrically degrading, the stream.

154. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent processing, the method comprising:

moving at least one stream of cellulosic biomass material along a flow path;

explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material;

electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds; and

forming a plurality of one of pellets, cubes, and briquettes from the cellulosic biomass material as having uniform moisture and chemical properties.

155. The method of claim 154, wherein electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of:

(a) using a high voltage impulse generator and a plurality of elongated electrodes to apply a high intensity pulsed electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material as the cellulosic biomass material moves through a pulsed electric field treatment zone, and wherein backpressure is applied to the cellulosic biomass material in the pulsed electric field treatment zone,

(b) applying a high intensity laser field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the high intensity laser field is applied with a plurality of laser beams, the stream of cellulosic biomass material passing adjacent a reflecting mirror used by the laser beams,

(c) applying a microwave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the microwave energy field is created with a microwave energy generator and passed through a microwave power dispersal lens and a dielectric plate operating as a partial reflecting mirror and at least a portion of the microwave energy field is reflected back off of a reflecting plate,

(d) applying a pressurized plasma wave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the pressurized plasma wave energy field is created with a radio frequency generator that creates a radio frequency wave field and is applied in a pressurized environment,

(e) applying an ultrasonic energy wave field with a plurality of piezoelectric transducers to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, the ultrasonic energy wave field creating one or more areas of intense destructive cavitation forces with the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(f) applying an accelerating electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(g) any combination thereof.

156. The method of claim 154, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of:

(a) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high-speed rotating flail processing unit, and

(b) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit.

157. The method of claim 154, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises reducing the particle size of the stream of cellulosic biomass material to a size in the range of approximately 625 mesh to approximately 4 mesh.

158. The method of claim 154, further comprising at least one of:

(a) performing hydrolysis on the cellulosic biomass material to create a liquid fuel component after forming the plurality of one of pellets, cubes, and briquettes, and

(b) thermally converting the cellulosic biomass material to create a liquid fuel component after forming the plurality of one of pellets, cubes, and briquettes.

159. The method of claim 154, wherein the at least one stream comprises a plurality of streams, each of which comprises a distinct type of cellulosic biomass material, the method further comprises blending at least two of the plurality of streams together to generate a blended stream prior to forming the plurality of one of pellets, cubes, and briquettes.

160. The method of claim 159, further comprising at least one of:

(a) measuring at least one characteristic of each of the plurality of streams prior to blending such that the streams are blended in accordance with a ratio based on the measured characteristics, and

(b) measuring at least one characteristic of the blended stream.

161. The method of claim 154, further comprising applying a pre-treatment solution to the cellulosic biomass material prior to forming the plurality of one of pellets, cubes, and briquettes, the pre-treatment solution comprising at least one of:

(a) a dilute acid,

(b) a dilute alkaline,

(c) an organic solvent,

(d) an ionic liquid solvent,

(e) a microbial agent,

(f) an enzyme,

(g) a binder, and

(h) any combination thereof.

162. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material as a feedstock for subsequent processing into liquid fuel, the method comprising:

(a) moving at least one stream of cellulosic biomass material along a flow path;

(b) explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of;

(i) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high-speed rotating chain flail processing unit, and

(ii) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit;

(c) electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material to further disrupt the lignocellulosic bonds, wherein electrically degrading the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of;

(i) using a high voltage impulse generator and a plurality of elongated electrodes to apply a high intensity pulsed electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material as the cellulosic biomass material moves through a pulsed electric field treatment zone, and wherein backpressure is applied to the cellulosic biomass material in the pulsed electric field treatment zone,

(ii) applying a high intensity laser field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the high intensity laser field is applied with a plurality of laser beams, the stream of cellulosic biomass material passing adjacent a reflecting mirror used by the laser beams,

(iii) applying a microwave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the microwave energy field is created with a microwave energy generator and passed through a microwave power dispersal lens and a dielectric plate operating as a partial reflecting mirror and at least a portion of the microwave energy field is reflected back off of a reflecting plate through the stream of cellulosic biomass,

(iv) applying a pressurized plasma wave energy field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, wherein the pressurized plasma wave energy field is created with a radio frequency generator that creates a radio frequency wave field and is applied in a pressurized environment,

(v) applying an ultrasonic energy wave field with a plurality of piezoelectric transducers to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, the ultrasonic energy wave field creating one or more areas of intense destructive cavitation forces with the stream of cellulosic biomass material,

(vi) applying an accelerating electric field to the stream of cellulosic biomass material, and

(vii) any combination thereof.

163. The method of claim 162, and forming the cellulosic biomass material into a plurality of one of pellets, cubes and briquettes having uniform moisture and chemical properties.

164. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material as a feedstock for subsequent processing into liquid fuel, the method comprising:

(a) moving at least one stream of cellulosic biomass material along a flow path;

(b) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through at least one of the following devices to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds and to reduce a particle size of the material to a size in the range of approximately 625 mesh to approximately 4 mesh;

(i) a high-speed rotating flail processing unit, and

(ii) a high speed air flow processing unit;

(c) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through at least one of the following devices to further disrupt lignocellulosic bonds;

(i) a high intensity pulsed electric field generator,

(ii) a high intensity laser field generator,

(iii) a microwave energy field generator,

(iv) a pressurized plasma wave energy field generator,

(v) an ultrasonic energy wave field generator,

(vi) an accelerating electric energy field generator, and

(vii) any combination thereof;

(d) applying a pre-treatment solution to the cellulosic biomass material, the solution comprising at least one of;

(i) a dilute acid,

(ii) a dilute alkaline,

(iii) an organic solvent,

(iv) an ionic liquid solvent,

(v) a microbial agent,

(vi) an enzyme,

(vii) a binder, and

(viii) any combination thereof.

165. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material as a feedstock for subsequent processing into fuel, the method comprising:

moving a plurality of distinct streams of biomass material along a plurality of distinct flow paths;

independently explosively drying and pulverizing each of the plurality of streams of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material;

independently electrically degrading each of the plurality of streams of cellulosic biomass material to further disrupt the lignocellulosic bonds; and

blending at least two streams of the plurality of streams of distinct cellulosic biomass material together to form a blended biomass feedstock material.

166. The method of claim 165, and blending the at least two streams in accordance with a predetermined ratio.

167. The method of claim 165, further comprising measuring at least one of:

(a) moisture content of each of the plurality of streams prior to blending,

(b) chemical make-up of each of the plurality of streams prior to blending,

(c) specific gravity of each of the plurality of streams prior to blending,

(d) electrical conductivity of each of the plurality of streams prior to blending,

(e) moisture content of the blended biomass material,

(f) chemical make-up of the blended biomass material,

(g) specific gravity of each of the blended biomass material,

(h) electrical conductivity of the blended biomass material, and

(i) any combination thereof.

168. The method of claim 165, wherein independently explosively drying and pulverizing each stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of:

(a) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high-speed rotating flail processing unit, and

(b) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit.

169. The method of claim 165, wherein moving each stream of biomass material along each flow path comprises collectively moving biomass material at a rate of at least approximately 50 tons per hour.

170. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent processing into fuel, the method comprising:

moving a plurality of streams of distinct cellulosic biomass source material along a plurality of distinct flow paths;

pulverizing each of the plurality of streams to reduce a particle size of the cellulosic biomass materials;

determining a characteristic of each of the plurality of streams, wherein the characteristic comprises at least one of a moisture content, a chemical make-up, a specific gravity, and an electrical conductivity;

blending at least two of the plurality of streams together based on the determined characteristic to form a blended biomass material; and

forming a plurality of one of pellets, cubes, and briquettes from the blended biomass material.

171. The method of claim 170, wherein pulverizing each of the plurality of streams comprises at least one of:

explosively drying and pulverizing each stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce the moisture content and the particle size of the cellulosic biomass material, and

electrically degrading each stream of cellulosic biomass material to further disrupt lignocellulosic bonds.

172. The method of claim 171, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises at least one of:

(a) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed rotating chain flail processing unit, and

(b) passing the stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit.

173. The method of claim 170, wherein pulverizing each of the plurality of streams comprises pulverizing each of the streams to reduce a particle size of the biomass materials to a size in the range from approximately 625 mesh to approximately 4 mesh.

174. The method of claim 170, further comprising applying a pre-treatment solution to the blended biomass material prior to forming the plurality of pellets, the pre-treatment solution comprising at least one of:

(a) a dilute acid,

(b) a dilute alkaline,

(c) an organic solvent,

(d) an ionic liquid solvent,

(e) a microbial agent,

(f) an enzyme,

(g) a binder, and

(h) any combination thereof.

175. A cellulosic biomass material processing apparatus comprising:

a flow path to move at least one stream of biomass material for treatment;

an explosive dryer and pulverizer unit adapted to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material, wherein the explosive dryer and pulverizer unit includes one of;

a high-speed rotating flail processing unit, and

a high speed air flow processing unit; and

an electrical degradation unit to further disrupt the lignocellulosic bonds in the stream of cellulosic biomass material.

176. A method of preparing cellulosic biomass material for subsequent processing, the method comprising:

moving at least one stream of biomass material along a flow path;

explosively drying and pulverizing the stream of cellulosic biomass material to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds, and to reduce a moisture content and a particle size of the cellulosic biomass material, wherein the resulting particle size is in the range from approximately 625 mesh to 4 mesh; and

thereafter thermally converting the cellulosic biomass material to create a liquid fuel component.

178. A biorefinery feedstock product formed from cellulose-containing input materials, the product comprising:

two or more different source types of cellulose-containing input materials blended together to define a quantity of blended cellulosic biomass material,

the blended cellulosic biomass having lingocellulosic bonds therewithin disrupted by one of;

explosively drying and pulverizing the respective source types of cellulose-containing input materials,

electrically degrading the respective source types of cellulose-containing input materials, and

a combination of explosively drying and pulverizing and electrically degrading;

the blended cellulosic biomass having at least one of;

material particles in a size range of approximately 625 mesh to approximately 4 mesh,

a moisture content in a range of approximately 5% on a weight basis to approximately 25% on a weight basis, and

a combination of material particles in a size range of approximately 625 mesh to approximately 4 mesh, and moisture content in a range of approximately 5% on a weight basis to approximately 25% on a weight basis.

179. The product of claim 178, further comprising at least one of the following pre-treatment solutions disposed in the blended cellulosic biomass material:

(a) a dilute acid,

(b) dilute alkaline,

(c) an organic solvent,

(d) an ionic liquid solvent,

(e) a microbial agent,

(f) an enzyme, and

(g) any combination thereof.

180. The product of claim 178, wherein the two or more different source types of cellulose-containing input materials are blended in accordance with a measurable characteristic, wherein the measurable characteristic comprises at least one of a moisture content, a chemical make-up, a specific gravity, an electrical conductivity, and any combination thereof.

181. The product of claim 178, wherein one of the source types of cellulose-containing input materials comprises one of recycled paper, recycled cardboard, and acombination of recycled paper and recycled cardboard, and which has first undergone a dry fiberization process.

182. The product of claim 178, wherein each of the two or more different source types of cellulose-containing input materials comprises at least one of raw cellulose materials and recycled cellulose materials.

183. The product of claim 178, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the respective source types of cellulose-containing input materials comprises at least one of:

(a) passing the respective source types of cellulose-containing input materials through a high speed rotating flail processing unit, and

(b) passing the respective source types of cellulose-containing input materials through a high speed air flow processing unit.

184. Method of preparing a cellulosic biomass feedstock for use in a gasification- and pyrolysis-type biorefinery operations, comprising:

establishing a flow of cellulosic biomass source materials by one of receiving in or pre-size-reducing cellulosic biomass to achieve a starter particle size of no greater than approximately 3 inches in largest dimension,

removing large fraction non-cellulosic biomass debris material,

explosively drying and pulverizing the flow of cellulosic biomass source material to a reduced moisture content in the range from approximately 0% to 20% moisture by weight, and to a reduced particle size range from approximately 625 mesh to 4 mesh, and

classifying the flow of explosively dried and pulverized cellulosic biomass materials to remove substantially all remaining large fraction non-cellulosic biomass materials,

to thereby result in a cellulosic biomass feedstock product having a substantially uniform energy content, uniform moisture content, uniform particle size, and that is substantially free of non-cellulosic biomass material debris, to thereby achieve a reduced level of unwanted clinkers when the cellulosic biomass feedstock is later processed by one of gasification and pyrolysis.

185. Method of claim 184, wherein explosively drying and pulverizing the flow stream of cellulosic biomass material comprises by one of:

passing the flow of cellulosic biomass source material through a high speed rotating flail processing unit,

passing the flow of cellulosic biomass source material through a high speed air flow processing unit, and

a combination thereof.

186. Method of claim 184, wherein a later gasification process comprises heating the prepared cellulosic biomass feedstock in the substantial absence of oxygen to a temperature of at least approximately 900°

F. to create a syngas.

187. Method of claim 184, wherein the later pyrolysis process comprises heating the prepared cellulosic biomass feedstock to a temperature of at least 400°

F. to create at least one of a syngas, a pyrolysis oil, and a char.

188. A method of claim 184, wherein the later plasma gasification comprises heating the prepared cellulosic biomass feedstock to a temperature of at least 1200°

F.

189. Method of claim 184, wherein at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass source material comprises a wood material having a bark fraction and a wood fiber fraction, and classifying the flow of cellulosic biomass material includes one of removing the bark fraction from the wood fiber fraction.

190. Method of preparing from raw and recycled cellulosic biomass source material a biorefinery feedstock for later gasification type biofinery use, comprising:

generating at least one stream of raw or recycled cellulosic biomass material;

removing non cellulosic biomass material from the at least one stream to provide a higher quality cellulosic biomass feedstock material;

size reducing and moisture reducing the individual pieces of the at least one stream of raw or recycled cellulosic biomass material, to a size range from approximately 625 mesh to 4 mesh, and to a moisture context range from approximately 0% to 20% moisture by weight, by using one of a high speed air flow type-, or a high speed rotating flail type-, explosive dryer and pulverizer device;

classifying the size-reduced and moisture-reduced stream of raw or recycled cellulosic biomass to remove any oversized fractions;

and providing the resultant size-reduced, moisture-reduced and classified stream of cellulosic biomass particles for later gasification-type biorefinery use in the form of one of a powdered cellulosic biomass feedstock material or a pelletized cellulosic biomass feedstock material, whereby the resulting individual particles of cellulosic biomass material are of a uniform range of size and moisture content to promote rapid gasification.

191. Method of pretreating raw and recycled cellulosic biomass source material as a uniform biorefinery feedstock for later use by a gasification type biorefinery, comprising;

generating a stream of size-reduced incoming cellulosic biomass source material pieces, with the individual particles being generally in the size range from approximately ½

″

to 3″

in greatest dimension,

removing non-cellulosic biomass material from the stream of cellulosic biomass source material, to reduce generation of buildup of unwanted clinkers in the subsequent biorefinery gasification unit, and

processing the stream of cellulosic biomass source material pieces through an explosive dryer and pulverizer unit, by using one of a high-speed rotating flail unit, a high-speed air flow unit, or a combination thereof, to achieve a particle size reduction to be in the size range from 625 mesh to 4 mesh, and a moisture reduction to be in the moisture range from 0% to 20% moisture by weight, to thereby promote rapid gasification of the at least one stream.

192. A method for employing a cellulosic biomass material as a feedstock at a biorefinery that produces a biofuel product from said material, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, as feedstock at said biorefinery, a cellulosic biomass material that has previously been subjected to at least one of the following upstream processing steps, (a) and (b);

(a) explosive drying and pulverizing, to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds in the material and to reduce the moisture content and particle size of the material;

(b) electrical degrading, to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds;

and then producing a biofuel product from said cellulosic biomass feed material at said biofefinery.

193. A method as recited in claim 192 wherein:

the feed material received at said biorefinery has been previously subjected first to upstream processing step (a), to initially disrupt said lignocellulosic bonds, and then to upstream processing step (b) to further disrupt the lignocellulosic bonds.

194. A method for employing cellulosic biomass material as a feedstock at a biorefinery that produces biofuel, said method comprising:

employing, as said feedstock, a cellulosic biomass material that has previously been subjected to upstream processing comprising the steps of;

(a) explosively drying and pulverizing said material so as to both (i) disrupt lignocellulosic bonds and (ii) reduce the moisture content and particle size of the material; and

(b) electrically degrading said material also to disrupt lignocellulosic bonds.

195. A method as recited in claim 194, wherein:

said upstream electrically degrading step is performed after said explosively drying and pulverizing step, thereby to further disrupt the lignocellulosic bonds.

196. A method as recited in claim 194, wherein:

said upstream electrically degrading step is performed before the explosively drying and pulverizing step.

197. A method as recited in claim 194, and comprising:

performing at least two of the following additional upstream processing steps (c)-(e) before employing said cellulosic biomass material as a feedstock at said biorefinery;

(c) providing the biomass material with uniform moisture content and chemical properties, and then forming said material into one of pellets, cubes and briquettes;

(d) providing a plurality of distinct streams of biomass material, subjecting each of said distinct steams independently to each of said upstream processing steps (a) and (b), and then blending at least two of said distinct streams to form a blended biomass material; and

(e) applying a pre-treatment solution to the feedstock after said upstream processing steps (a) and (b) to facilitate subsequent conversion of the feedstock to bio fuel or to facilitate upstream processing step (c), or both.

198. A method as recited in claim 197, wherein said additional upstream processing steps comprise steps (c) and (d).

199. A method as recited in claim 197, wherein said additional upstream processing steps comprise steps (c) and (e).

200. A method as recited in claim 194, wherein said additional processing steps comprise steps (d) and (e).

201. A method as recited in claim 194, wherein said additional processing steps comprise all of steps (c)-(e).

202. A method as recited in claim 194, and comprising:

providing, as said cellulosic biomass material, waste recycled cellulosic biomass; and

subjecting said material to a dry fiberization process prior to one of steps (a) and (b).

203. A method as recited in claim 194, wherein said cellulosic biomass material comprises water and solid material fractions and said explosively drying and pulverizing steps comprises at least one of:

(a) passing a stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed rotating flail processing unit; and

(b) passing a stream of cellulosic biomass material through a high speed air flow processing unit;

whereby the water fraction of said material is explosively separated from the solid fraction of the material, and said solid fraction is explosively pulverized into minute particles in the range of approximately 625 mesh to approximately 4 mesh.

204. A method as recited in claim 203, and comprising:

explosively fracturing and defibrillating, and opening new pores in, the microsubstructure of the solid fraction of said cellulosic biomass material, as a result of said explosive pulverizing.

205. A method as recited in claim 194, wherein:

said upstream processing steps are performed along a flow path at a processing rate that allows said cellulosic biomass material to be moved along said path at one of the following rates;

(a) at least approximately 10 tons per hour;

(b) in the range of approximately 20 tons per hour to approximately 70 tons per hour; and

(c) at least approximately 50 tons per hour.

206. A method as recited in claim 194, and further comprising:

performing the following additional upstream processing steps before employing said cellulosic biomass material as a feedstock at said biorefinery;

mixing into the cellulosic biomass material a pre-treatment solution comprising one of a dilute acid, a dilute alkaline, an organic solvent, an ionic liquid solvent, an enzyme, a microbial agent, a binder, or any combination thereof; and

compressing the resultant pre-treated cellulosic biomass material into discrete compacted units, each unit having an active ongoing pre-treatment regimen in place, to yet further disrupt the lignocellulosic bonds.

207. An apparatus for processing a cellulosic biomass material for use as a feedstock at a biorefinery that produces a biofuel, said apparatus comprising:

an explosive dryer and pulverizer unit adapted to disrupt lignocellulose bonds, and to reduce the moisture content and particle size of the material; and

an electrical degradation unit adapted to further disrupt the lignocellulose bonds in said material;

each of said units having the capability of processing at least 10 tons per hour of said material.

208. In combination with the apparatus of claim 207:

a biorefinery for producing a biofuel, said biorefinery being located downstream of said apparatus and comprising means for receiving, as a feedstock, the cellulosic biomass material that has been processed at said apparatus.