Advanced biorefinery process
AssigneeRA Energy
InventorEarnest Stuart
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Abstract
The present invention is a method for refining native biomass to extremely fine and highly disrupted particles using high shear and/or cavitation in combination with high temperature and high or low pH conditions which dissolve biomass to a high percentage. The method of the present invention results in a high percentage of hydrolysis, in many cases near theoretical levels, in short residence times while minimizing inputs over other methods, using low chemical inputs, and optionally with no chemical inputs in certain stages compared to existing processes. The method of the present invention also uses minimal electrical energy inputs and conserves heat energy within the process and reduces equipment requirements while producing concentrated products.
Claims15
A method of refining lignocellulosic biomass comprising particles, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) disrupting cellular structure of the biomass contained in a slurry to create extreme surface area of the particles of biomass;
- (b) heating the biomass slurry to a temperature of between 150° C. and 300° C. for a duration sufficient to hydrolyze a high percentage of the biomass, and
- prior to heating, removing protein from the biomass slurry by applying protease enzyme to the biomass slurry and filtering the biomass slurry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.