System and methods for continuous biomass processing

Abstract

This invention is directed to biomass processing. In one embodiment, the biomass is processed by contacting the biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system. In another embodiment, the processed biomass is fermented. Steam is also applied in the biomass processing. The steam can be applied before, during or after the biomass is first contacted with the swelling agent.

1 . A process for swelling biomass, comprising:
 contacting the biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass; and   applying steam to the biomass to achieve a total moisture content of from 20 wt % to 90 wt % as the steam mixes with the biomass.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steam is applied to the biomass prior to contacting with the swelling agent. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steam is applied to the biomass after contacting with the swelling agent. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steam is applied to the biomass during contacting with the swelling agent. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steam is applied to achieve a temperature of from 60° C. to 200° C. as the steam mixes with the biomass. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass is contacted with the swelling agent at a ratio of swelling agent to biomass of from 0.1:1 to 2.5:1 dwb. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steam is applied by way of a mixing device to mix the steam with the biomass. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steam is applied by way of a transport device to transport the biomass. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the steam is applied by way of a mixing and transport device to mix and transport the biomass. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the biomass is contacted with the swelling agent for at least one minute to swell the biomass. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the swelled biomass is dried to provide a vapor stream and a dried biomass stream such that the vapor stream contains at least a portion of the swelling agent and moisture from the biomass. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising fermenting at least a portion of the biomass that has been contacted with the swelling agent. 
     
     
         13 . A process for swelling biomass, comprising:
 contacting the biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass; and   applying steam to the biomass to achieve a temperature of from 60° C. to 200° C. as the swelling agent mixes with the biomass.   
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the steam is applied to the biomass prior to contacting with the swelling agent. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the steam is applied to the biomass after contacting with the swelling agent. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the steam is applied to the biomass during contacting with the swelling agent. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the steam is applied to achieve a total moisture content of from 20 wt % to 90 wt % as the steam mixes with the biomass. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the biomass is contacted with the swelling agent at a ratio of swelling agent to biomass of from 0.1:1 to 2.5:1 dwb. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the steam is applied by way of a mixing device to mix the steam with the biomass. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the steam is applied by way of a transport device to transport the biomass. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the steam is applied by way of a mixing and transport device to mix and transport the biomass. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the biomass is contacted with the swelling agent for at least one minute to swell the biomass. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 13 , wherein the swelled biomass is dried to provide a vapor stream and a dried biomass stream such that the vapor stream contains at least a portion of the swelling agent and moisture from the biomass. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 13 , further comprising fermenting at least a portion of the biomass that has been contacted with the swelling agent. 
     
     
         25 . A fermentation process, comprising:
 contacting biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass;   applying steam to the biomass to achieve a total moisture content of from 20 wt % to 90 wt % as the steam mixes with the biomass; and   fermenting at least a portion of the biomass that has been contacted with the swelling agent.   
     
     
         26 . A fermentation process, comprising:
 contacting biomass with a swelling agent as the biomass and swelling agent are transported through a reactor system, wherein the reactor system is at a pressure sufficient to maintain the swelling agent predominantly in the liquid phase, and the contact is for a time sufficient to allow the swelling agent to swell at least a portion of the biomass;   applying steam to the biomass to achieve a temperature of from 60° C. to 200° C. as the swelling agent mixes with the biomass; and   fermenting at least a portion of the biomass that has been contacted with the swelling agent.