Methods and systems for pretreatment and processing of biomass

Abstract

A method of biomass pretreatment that includes forming a mixture comprising alkali and lignocellulosic biomass; controlling at least one physical property of the mixture selected from the group of pressure, temperature, and a combination thereof; contacting the mixture with a fluid; fermenting at least a portion of the mixture; and collecting carboxylate salts formed from fermenting.

1 . A method of biomass pretreatment comprising:
 forming a mixture comprising alkali and lignocellulosic biomass;   controlling at least one physical property of the mixture selected from the group of pressure, temperature, and a combination thereof;   contacting the mixture with a fluid;   fermenting at least a portion of the mixture; and   collecting carboxylate salts formed from fermenting.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising incubating the mixture for a time period of between about 1 week to 16 weeks. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising selecting the duration of incubation based on the controlled physical property. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is substantially agricultural waste. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid comprises oxygen, and wherein the alkali comprises lime. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , the method further comprising adding lime to the lignocellulosic biomass in an amount between approximately 10% and 30% of lignocellulosic biomass by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 reducing the lignin content of the biomass by at least about 40%; and   producing pulp suitable for paper or cardboard production.   
     
     
         8 . A method of biomass pretreatment comprising:
 forming a mixture comprising alkali and lignocellulosic biomass;   controlling at least one physical property of the mixture selected from the group of pressure, temperature, and a combination thereof;   contacting the mixture with a fluid; and   fermenting at least a portion of the mixture.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising incubating the mixture for a time period of between about 1 and 16 weeks. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising selecting the duration of incubation based on the controlled physical property. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is substantially agricultural waste. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the fluid comprises oxygen, and wherein the alkali comprises lime. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , the method further comprising adding lime to the lignocellulosic biomass in an amount between approximately 10% and 30% of lignocellulosic biomass by weight. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , the method further comprising collecting carboxylate salts formed from fermenting. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 reducing the lignin content of the biomass by at least about 40%; and 
 producing pulp suitable for paper or cardboard production. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , the method further comprising:
 reducing the lignin content of the biomass by at least about 40%; and   producing pulp suitable for paper or cardboard production.   
     
     
         17 . A method of biomass pretreatment comprising:
 forming a mixture comprising alkali and lignocellulosic biomass;   incubating the mixture at a predetermined temperature range for a time period of between about 1 day to about 4 weeks;   contacting the mixture with a fluid;   fermenting at least a portion of the mixture; and   collecting carboxylate salts formed from fermenting.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising selecting time period of incubation based on the predetermined temperature range. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the lignocellulosic biomass is substantially agricultural waste, wherein the fluid comprises oxygen, and wherein the alkali comprises lime. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , the method further comprising adding lime to the lignocellulosic biomass in an amount between approximately 10% and 30% of lignocellulosic biomass by weight.