In some aspects, calcium carbonate is mixed with an aqueous solution of cellulose or another hydrophilic polymer and then water is removed, leaving an unagglomerated calcium carbonate-cellulose mixture for storage, transport, or incorporation into products. This mixture is especially useful for increasing the tensile strength of cement or concrete.
Lignin is dissolved in acetone to produce a lignin-acetone mixture. Undissolved lignin is removed from the mixture and the acetone-lignin mixture is combined with a polyol and then used to synthesize foams, films and resins.
A valve assembly wherein the inner wall of the valve body comprises at least one opening for the entry of a liquid under pressure following output of a slurry or liquid from a tube or pipe. The valve assembly is particularly useful in maintaining a semi-continuous or continuous pressurized flow of biomass from an extruder and extending the reaction zone downstream from the extruder. An advantage of having an extended reaction zone allows for a complete treatment of materials without further wear on the extruder and also allows manipulation of the upstream treatment of materials in the tube or pipe.
B65G 33/22 - Screw or rotary spiral conveyors for fluent solid materials comprising a screw or screws enclosed in a tubular housing with means for retarding material flow at the delivery end of the housing
B65G 33/14 - Screw or rotary spiral conveyors for fluent solid materials comprising a screw or screws enclosed in a tubular housing
B65G 33/18 - Screw or rotary spiral conveyors for fluent solid materials comprising a screw or screws enclosed in a tubular housing with multiple screws in parallel arrangements
A valve assembly having a conical valve needle axially displaceable in a bore of a valve body wherein a portion of the larger diameter of the valve needle seats downstream at an annular ring when the valve is closed. There is an open area between one end of the valve body to the annular ring even at closure and nozzles for the input of a liquid. The inner wall of the valve body comprises at least one opening for the entry of a liquid under pressure following output of a slurry or liquid from a tube or pipe. The valve assembly is particularly useful in maintaining a semi-continuous or continuous pressurized flow of biomass from an extruder.
F16K 1/12 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with streamlined valve member around which the fluid flows when the valve is opened
B05B 1/06 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to produce a jet, spray, or other discharge of particular shape or nature, e.g. in single drops in annular, tubular or hollow conical form
B05B 1/30 - Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means designed to control volume of flow, e.g. with adjustable passages
F02M 61/10 - Other injectors with elongated valve bodies, i.e. of needle-valve type
F02M 61/12 - Other injectors with elongated valve bodies, i.e. of needle-valve type characterised by the provision of guiding or centring means for valve bodies
F02M 61/16 - Details not provided for in, or of interest apart from, the apparatus of groups
F02M 61/18 - Injection nozzles, e.g. having valve-seats
An extruder and valve system comprises a conduit for conveying a biomass stream using a plurality of injector assemblies to provide water or other fluids and/or steam for pretreatment. Each injector in the assembly is connected to a corresponding port in the extruder. The ports can be positioned at discrete locations of the extruder or beyond to deliver the appropriate amount of fluid or steam for the processing of biomass or other materials.
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
B01J 19/26 - Nozzle-type reactors, i.e. the distribution of the initial reactants within the reactor is effected by their introduction or injection through nozzles
C13K 1/02 - GlucoseGlucose-containing syrups obtained by saccharification of cellulosic materials
6.
METHODS OF MAKING SPECIALIZED LIGNIN AND LIGNIN PRODUCTS FROM BIOMASS
Provided are cost-effective methods and systems for producing a low molecular weight reactive lignin from a lignocellulosic biomass. The process is rapid and the reactive lignin is easily separated from carbohydrates and other components of the biomass at low cost. This clean lignin product has a very low molecular weight, good hydroxyl content, and low ash and sulfur, making it valuable to many applications.
Provided is microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass produced efficiently and quickly through cost-effective methods and systems. The MCC is comprised of short fibers due to the process through which the biomass is subjected. In addition to MCC, nanocellulose (CNF), and high quality crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) can be produced, as well as other cellulosic compounds, clean lignin and monomeric C5 and C6 sugars.
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions for the uniform pretreatment of biomass within seconds with low inhibitor formation. The pretreatment process is used to convert biomass to a fuel, sugars, or other useful chemicals by subjecting the feedstock to a rapid retention time under pressure and temperature and/or chemical reactant. The system includes at least one high pressure, steam impermiable plug and a continuously-operating valve discharge apparatus to discharge pretreated feedstock while maintaining uniform pressure on the pretreatment system.
This disclosure provides polymer and film derivatives of specialized clean lignin with improved properties. This disclosure also provides methods of making polymer and film derivatives of specialized clean lignin with improved properties.
Provided are methods, systems, and compositions for producing activated carbon from lignin residues produced from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass after hydrolysis of saccharides. The activated carbon is low in ash and sulfur, high in oxygen content and iodine number.
B09B 3/00 - Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
C10B 53/02 - Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of cellulose-containing material
C12P 3/00 - Preparation of elements or inorganic compounds except carbon dioxide
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions for the pretreatment of biomass within seconds with low inhibitor formation. The pretreatment process is used to convert biomass to a fuel or other useful chemicals by subjecting the feedstock to a rapid retention time under pressure and temperature and/or chemical reactant. The system includes a continuously-operating valve discharge apparatus to discharge pretreated feedstock while maintaining uniform pressure on the pretreatment system.
B65G 33/18 - Screw or rotary spiral conveyors for fluent solid materials comprising a screw or screws enclosed in a tubular housing with multiple screws in parallel arrangements
B65G 33/24 - Screw or rotary spiral conveyors Details
F16K 1/12 - Lift valves, i.e. cut-off apparatus with closure members having at least a component of their opening and closing motion perpendicular to the closing faces with streamlined valve member around which the fluid flows when the valve is opened
12.
SUGAR SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION THROUGH FILTRATION
Methods are disclosed that separate xylose from glucose in pretreated and enzyme- hydrolyzed cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic biomass. Filtration, especially diafiltration is used to reduce fermentation-impeding substances and xylose from glucose and growth-promoting factors.
C13B 20/16 - Purification of sugar juices by physical means, e.g. osmosis or filtration
C13B 5/00 - Reducing the size of material from which sugar is to be extracted
C07H 3/00 - Compounds containing only hydrogen atoms and saccharide radicals having only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms
B01D 61/00 - Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltrationApparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
Provided are methods and systems using polymeric catalysts for non-enzymatic saccharification and a humidification-dehumidification process for refining saccharide streams produced from biomass. Also provided are methods and systems for decreasing one or more undesirable products during pretreatment.
B01D 3/34 - Distillation or related exchange processes in which liquids are contacted with gaseous media, e.g. stripping with one or more auxiliary substances
C13K 1/02 - GlucoseGlucose-containing syrups obtained by saccharification of cellulosic materials
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and compositions for producing one or more fermentation end-products using reduced amounts of fermenting microorganisms. Also disclosed herein are method, systems, and compositions for increasing the cellular productivity during fermentation reactions.
C12N 1/38 - Chemical stimulation of growth or activity by addition of chemical compounds which are not essential growth factorsStimulation of growth by removal of a chemical compound
C12N 1/12 - Unicellular algaeCulture media therefor
C12P 1/02 - Preparation of compounds or compositions, not provided for in groups , by using microorganisms or enzymesGeneral processes for the preparation of compounds or compositions by using microorganisms or enzymes by using fungi
C12P 1/04 - Preparation of compounds or compositions, not provided for in groups , by using microorganisms or enzymesGeneral processes for the preparation of compounds or compositions by using microorganisms or enzymes by using bacteria
Provided are methods and compositions using activated carbon for optimizing purification and clarification of sugar streams produced from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass. Also provided are methods and compositions for decreasing one or more undesirable products during pretreatment.
Provided are methods and compositions for optimizing pretreatment processes using a two-stage pretreatment process for lignocellulosic biomass. Also provided are methods and compositions for decreasing the yield of one or more undesirable products during pretreatment.
Provided are methods and compositions for high yields while using reduced enzyme loads in saccharification and fermentation processes. These methods increase the efficiency of enzymes and result in improved yields and composition of saccharification and fermentation end products.
Provided are methods and compositions for higher yields through the addition of pretreatment/hydrolysis extracts in the fermentation process. These fractions increase the rate of growth for biocatalysts and result in improved composition of fermentation end products.
C12P 7/64 - FatsFatty oilsEster-type waxesHigher fatty acids, i.e. having at least seven carbon atoms in an unbroken chain bound to a carboxyl groupOxidised oils or fats
C12P 7/40 - Preparation of oxygen-containing organic compounds containing a carboxyl group
C12N 1/00 - Microorganisms, e.g. protozoaCompositions thereofProcesses of propagating, maintaining or preserving microorganisms or compositions thereofProcesses of preparing or isolating a composition containing a microorganismCulture media therefor
19.
ENHANCING FERMENTATION OF STARCH-AND SUGAR-BASED FEEDSTOCKS
Provided are methods, systems, and compositions for increasing the rate and/or yield of fermentation processes using blended feedstocks. Also provided are methods, systems, and compositions for decreasing the yield of one or more undesirable products during fermentation.
patents