Methods and systems for pretreatment and processing of biomass

A system for processing biomass, comprising:

• a water-impermeable bottom liner;
• a grid-like lattice structure coupled to the bottom liner to form a roof;
• a geomembrane coupled to the grid-like lattice structure;
• a gravel layer supported by the bottom liner;
• a plurality of drain pipes disposed within the gravel layer;
• a conveyor belt coupled to the top liner and operable to deliver biomass over the gravel layer to form a biomass pile;
• a lime input device operable to deliver lime to the biomass for pretreating the biomass;
• a plurality of distribution pipes coupled to the top liner and associated with respective ones of the plurality of drain pipes;
• and
• a plurality of pumps coupled to respective ones of the plurality of drain pipes and respective ones of the plurality of distribution pipes, the pumps operable to circulate water through the biomass pile by delivering water to the distribution pipes and receiving water from the drain pipes after the water has traveled through the biomass pile.

A system for processing biomass, comprising:

• an end wall;
• a water-impermeable bottom liner;
• a top liner coupled to the bottom liner, the top liner selectively inflatable by one or more fans coupled to the end wall;
• a plurality of water pouches coupled to the top liner, the water pouches selectively inflatable when the top liner is inflated;
• a gravel layer supported by bottom liner and separated into a plurality of gravel segments;
• a plurality of drain pipes disposed within respective ones of the gravel segments;
• a conveyor belt associated with the end wall and operable to deliver biomass over the gravel segments to form a biomass pile;
• a lime input device operable to deliver lime to the biomass for pretreating the biomass;
• a plurality of distribution pipes coupled to the top liner and associated with respective ones of the plurality of gravel segments;
• and
• a plurality of pumps coupled to respective ones of the plurality of drain pipes and respective ones of the plurality of distribution pipes, the pumps operable to circulate water through the biomass pile by delivering water to the distribution pipes and receiving water from the drain pipes after the water has traveled through the biomass pile.

A system for processing biomass, comprising:

• a plurality of geodesic domes arranged in a generally circular pattern, each geodesic dome comprising:
• a water-impermeable bottom liner;
• a top liner coupled to the bottom liner;
• a gravel layer supported by the bottom liner;
• a drain pipe disposed within the gravel layer;
• and
• a distribution pipe elevated above the gravel layer;
• a plurality of pumps coupled to respective ones of the plurality of geodesic domes, each pump operable to circulate water through its respective geodesic dome by delivering water to the distribution pipe associated with the respective geodesic dome and receiving water from the drain pipe associated with the respective geodesic dome;
• a rotatable conveyor belt surrounded by the geodesic domes and operable to deliver biomass to each geodesic dome;
• and
• a lime input device operable to deliver lime to the biomass for pretreating the biomass.

A system for processing biomass, comprising:

• a fermenter structure configured to:
• accept and store untreated lignocellulosic biomass;
• pretreat the lignocellulosic biomass with lime at a temperature between approximately 25° C. and 95° C. at ambient pressure for a time period of at least approximately four weeks;
• and
• treat the lignocellulosic biomass with an inoculant.