Methods and systems for processing biomass material
First Claim
1. A method for processing a prepared biomass material comprising:
- (i) introducing a prepared biomass material to a pressurized compartment of a recovery system, wherein the prepared biomass material contains an initial liquid content comprising ethanol and wherein the prepared biomass material is generated by adding to a lignocellulosic biomass at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a microbe, an acid, an enzyme, or any combination thereof and storing the lignocellulosic biomass material with at least one additive for at least 24 hours;
(ii) contacting the prepared biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the pressurized compartment to vaporize at least a portion of the initial liquid content in the prepared biomass material to provide a vapor component, wherein the superheated vapor stream is about 100°
C. to about 375°
C., and the recovery system is operated at a pressure range of about 3 psig to about 60 psig;
(iii) retaining an amount of the vapor component comprising ethanol in a range of 1 wt % to 50 wt % for use as part of the superheated vapor stream;
(iv) releasing from the recovery system at least a portion of the prepared biomass material after vaporization to provide a solid component; and
(vi) contacting at least a portion of the solid component with a solution adapted to facilitate saccharification.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide for efficient and economical production and recovery of ethanol or other volatile organic compounds. One embodiment comprises contacting a solid component of a biomass material with a solution adapted to facilitate saccharification. The solid component is generated by a method comprising: introducing a biomass material to a compartment of a solventless recovery system, wherein the biomass material contains one or more volatile organic compounds; contacting the biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the biomass material; separating a vapor component and a solid component from the heated biomass material; and retaining at least a portion of the gas component for use as part of the superheated vapor stream. In one embodiment, the solid component contacted with the solution is further subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis and/or fermentation.
37 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for processing a prepared biomass material comprising:
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(i) introducing a prepared biomass material to a pressurized compartment of a recovery system, wherein the prepared biomass material contains an initial liquid content comprising ethanol and wherein the prepared biomass material is generated by adding to a lignocellulosic biomass at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a microbe, an acid, an enzyme, or any combination thereof and storing the lignocellulosic biomass material with at least one additive for at least 24 hours; (ii) contacting the prepared biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the pressurized compartment to vaporize at least a portion of the initial liquid content in the prepared biomass material to provide a vapor component, wherein the superheated vapor stream is about 100°
C. to about 375°
C., and the recovery system is operated at a pressure range of about 3 psig to about 60 psig;(iii) retaining an amount of the vapor component comprising ethanol in a range of 1 wt % to 50 wt % for use as part of the superheated vapor stream; (iv) releasing from the recovery system at least a portion of the prepared biomass material after vaporization to provide a solid component; and (vi) contacting at least a portion of the solid component with a solution adapted to facilitate saccharification. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26)
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16. A method for processing a prepared biomass material comprising:
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contacting a solid component of a prepared biomass material with a solution adapted to facilitate saccharification, wherein the solid component is generated by a method comprising; introducing the prepared biomass material to a pressurized compartment of a recovery system, wherein the prepared biomass material is generated by adding to a lignocellulosic biomass at least one of a microbe, an acid, and an enzyme; and
storing the lignocellulosic biomass for at least about 24 hours;contacting the prepared biomass material with a superheated vapor stream in the pressurized compartment to vaporize at least a portion of an initial liquid content in the prepared biomass material to provide a vapor component, wherein the initial liquid content comprises ethanol, and wherein the superheated vapor stream is about 100°
C. to about 375°
C. and the recovery system is operated at a pressure range of about 3 psig to about 60 psig;retaining in the recovery system an amount of the vapor component comprising ethanol in a range of 1 wt % to 50 wt % for use as part of the superheated vapor stream; releasing from the recovery system at least a portion of the prepared biomass material after vaporization to provide the solid component for said contact with the solution adapted to facilitate saccharification. - View Dependent Claims (20, 25, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification