Processing of monocot feedstocks for pulping

Abstract

Feedstock including an amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass can be processed using enzymes prior to pulping. The enzymes break down the biomass by disrupting the surface or cell walls or by reducing wax or other components. Such enzymes include cellulases, hemicellulases, laccases, peroxidases, and pectinases. Suitable enzymes can be obtained from secretions of microbes in soil organic matter from soil in which the feedstock was grown. If the pulping process includes steam explosion, such enzy matic processing of a biomass prior to steam explosion will increase absorption of water by the processed feedstock. In steam explosion, due to the increased ability of the processed feedstock to absorb water, steam explosion is more effective in breaking apart the processed feedstock. For other pulping processes, such enzymatic treatments break down the biomass, enabling extraction of the desired components from the processed feedstock through subsequent processing using less energy and fewer chemicals.

Description

PROCESSING OF MONOCOT FEEDSTOCKS FOR PULPINGBACKGROUND

[0001] Pulping is a process that takes feedstock, typically a form of plant material, and extracts components, typically cellulose, to produce a pulp from which various products are made, such as fibers, woven and non-woven fabrics and textiles, clothing, textile products, paper, paper products, packaging, or other materials. There are many kinds of feedstock, corresponding pulping processes, related extracted components, resulting pulp, and related products. A pulping process typical uses one or more of mechanical, chemical, thermal, or other means, or combinations or sequences of these, to break down the feedstock to extract the desired components. Examples of pulping processes include, but are not limited to, Kraft pulping, soda pulping, sulfite pulping, organosolv pulping, steam explosion treatment, and other mechanical, chemical, or thermal processes.

[0002] Bamboo is a desirable feedstock for making fibers for clothing and other textile products, and paper products and packaging. As with other types of materials, a pulping process for bamboo takes bamboo feedstock and extracts components from which fibers can be spun.

[0003] Bamboo is a kind of lignocellulosic biomass. A lignocellulosic biomass includes a complex structure of carbohydrate polymers (e.g., cellulose and hemicellulose) and lignin. In the early steps of processing the lignocellulosic biomass into fibers, the primary objective is to open up the structure of the lignocellulose to make the cellulose available for further processing. Recovery of lignin and hemicellulose can be a second objective.

[0004] The early steps in a pulping process for a lignocellulosic biomass typically involve the digestion of chips of feedstock at elevated temperature and pressure in a solution of water, sodium sulfide, or sodium hydroxide. Due to the harsh chemicals, more environmentally friendly processes, such as steam explosion, have been explored for pulping lignocellulosic biomass.

[0005] Steam explosion involves soaking a lignocellulosic biomass in water, such that cell walls of the cells in the lignocellulosic biomass absorb water. Upon heating, the water expands, breaking open the cell walls. This process is often called hydrolysis. Steam explosion is described in Ziegler-Devin I, Chrusciel L and Brosse N (2021) Steam Explosion Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass: A Mini-Review7of Theoretical and Experimental Approaches. Front. Chem. 9:705358. doi: 10.3389 / fchem.2021.705358, hereby incorporated by reference. Its application to bamboo is described in Wenjuan Zhao, Yanping Zou, Wenfu Zhang, HongChen, Jian Zhang, Anqi Wu, Shaofei Yuan & Ying Zhao (2024) Optimization of Process Parameters for Bamboo Fiber Extraction by Steam Explosion, Journal of Natural Fibers, 21 : 1, 2301369, DOE10.1080 / 15440478.2023.2301369, hereby incorporated by reference.SUMMARY

[0006] This Summary introduces a selection of concepts in simplified form that are described further below in the Detailed Description. This Summary neither identifies key or essential features, nor limits the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] Some species of plants display both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties, also defined as amphiphilic properties. Such plants typically are monocots from a variety of families, such as plants in the poaceae family (e.g., grasses like bamboo), the arecaceae family, (e.g., types of palm trees), the musaceae family (e.g., bananas and abaca), the bromeliaceae family (e.g., pineapple), the cyperaceae family (e.g.. papyrus), and the asparagaceae family (e.g., agave).

[0008] If feedstock used with steam explosion originates from a plant with amphiphilic properties, the feedstock may not absorb sufficient water during the soaking phase prior to steam explosion. As a result, the steam explosion step may not sufficiently break open the cell walls, which adversely impacts the remaining steps of pulping process. Specifically, the remaining steps of the pulping process may use more chemicals, time, energy, or other resource, which adversely impacts quality7, costs, and the environment.

[0009] Feedstock can be processed using various enzymes prior to any pulping process. The enzymes break down the feedstock, by disrupting the surface or cell walls or by reducing wax or other components. Such enzymes include cellulases, hemicellulases, laccases, peroxidases, and pectinases. In some implementations, suitable enzymes can be obtained from secretions of microbes in soil organic matter from the soil in which the bamboo or other feedstock was grown.

[0010] If the pulping process includes steam explosion, such enzymatic processing of the feedstock prior to steam explosion will increase absorption of water by the feedstock. For example, enzy mes that help break down bamboo, by disrupting the surface or cell walls or reducing wax, can lead to higher water absorption. Amphiphilic materials like bamboo thus can be made effectively more hydrophilic or less hydrophobic. In steam explosion, due to the increased ability of the feedstock to absorb water, steam explosion is more effective in breaking apart the feedstock.

[0011] For other pulping processes, such enzymatic treatments break down the feedstock, enabling extraction of the desired components through subsequent processing using less energy and fewer chemicals.

[0012] As an example process, a feedstock that is a mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass is placed in a solution with an effective amount of one or more biological enzyme(s) and a buffer. For example, the biomass can be a mechanically refined bamboo (MRB), such as split bamboo, cut bamboo, chipped bamboo, ground bamboo, or other material. The buffer can be a buffer of alkali or an acidic buffer. Examples of buffers include but are not limited to sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, or citrate. The biological enzymes include one or more of cellulase, hemicellulase, laccase, peroxidase, or pectinase, or any combination of these. The biological enzy me is added in a quantity dependent on the desired effect of the enzyme on the biomass is placed in the solution, under specific processing conditions.

[0013] The biomass, buffer, and enzymes are then processed, which typically involves steps of one or more of mixing, heating, or maintaining pH. Subsequently, after the enzymatic treatment, the treated biomass is rinsed to remove the buffer, enzyme, and any product resulting from the enzyme acting on the material. The remaining biomass is recovered to provide a processed feedstock. In some implementations, the processed feedstock is then subjected to steam explosion or other pulping process, which results in a complex mixture. The complex mixture can be further chemically processed to extract cellulose.

[0014] With bamboo as the biomass, the processed feedstock includes pieces of bamboo w hich have been subjected to enzymatic reactions. These enzymatic reactions disrupt the surface or cell walls or both. In some implementations, any wax in the structure of the bamboo also can be disrupted, if not substantially removed, for example using pectinase. Preferably, however, cellulose in the biomass is not completely broken down. As a result, the processed feedstock is more hydrophilic. The resulting processed feedstock is then input to further treatment or processing, such as steam explosion, other pulping process, or other refinement steps.

[0015] Such pulping processes provide pulp which in turn is used to manufacture fibers, w oven and non-woven fabrics and textiles, clothing, textile products, paper, paper products, packaging, or other materials. The cost, energy usage, environmental impact, or chemical use, or other impact is reduced because the processed feedstock has a structure that is more structurally open or more hydrophilic, or both, than before enzy matic processing.

[0016] Accordingly, in one aspect, a process for preparation of amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass comprises combining a mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass with an effective amount of an enzyme in a volume of buffer to form a mixture. The mixture is processed to treat the biomass with the enzyme. After processing the mixture, the treated biomass is rinsed to substantially remove the buffer and enzyme, to provide a processed feedstock for further processing.

[0017] In one aspect, a pulping process for amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass comprises combining a mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass with an effective amount of an enzyme in a volume of buffer to form a mixture. The mixture is processed to treat the biomass with the enzyme. After processing the mixture, the treated biomass is rinsed to substantially remove the buffer and enzyme, to provide processed feedstock. The processed feedstock is subjected to steam explosion to produce a complex mixture of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. The complex mixture is further chemically processed to extract cellulose.

[0018] In one aspect, a processed feedstock originating from an amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass for use in a pulping process, comprises mechanically refined pieces of the amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass, wherein the pieces have been subjected to enzymatic reactions to disrupt surface or cell walls. In some implementations, the mechanically refined pieces of the amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass further have wax disrupted on the surface.

[0019] In one aspect, a treatment system for processing of feedstock originating from an amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass, for use in a pulping process, includes a containment device for receiving a mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass, a buffer, and one or more enzymes to produce a mixture within the containment device. The containment device includes corresponding components and controls for such components to effect processing of the mixture. Such processing may include mixing, heating, or maintaining pH, or some combination of these, for a specified time.

[0020] In any of the foregoing aspects, the biological enzymes can include one or more of cellulase, hemicellulase, laccase, peroxidase, or pectinase, or a combination of any two or more of these. In some implementations, only a cellulase is used. In some implementations, a cellulase and a hemicellulase are used. In some implementations, a cellulase, a hemicellulase, and a laccase are used. In some implementations, a cellulase and a laccase are used. In some implementations, a pectinase also is used. In some implementations, the enzyme comprises an enzyme from secretions a microbe, fungus, or other organic matter found in soil in which the feedstock was grown.

[0021] In any of the foregoing aspects, in the processed feedstock, all pieces can have a size from about one (1) micron to about ten (10) centimeters. The processed feedstock preferably has impurities of less than about 5% of the mixture.

[0022] In any of the foregoing aspects, the mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass can include mechanically refined material from a monocot. In some implementations, the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the poaceae family. In some implementations, the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the arecaceae family. In some implementations, the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the musaceae family. In some implementations, the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the bromeliaceae family. In some implementations, the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the cyperaceae family. In some implementations, the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the asparagaceae family.

[0023] In some implementations the amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass is bamboo, such as split bamboo, cut bamboo, chipped bamboo, or ground bamboo. In some implementations, the mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass comprises material from a plant selected from the group consisting of: bamboo, rice, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sugarcane, com, millet, sorghum, coconut, types of palm, bananas, plantains, abaca, pineapple, papyrus, or agave. In some implementations, the mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass comprises material from one or more of the following plants: bamboo, rice, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sugarcane, com, millet, sorghum, coconut, types of palm, bananas, plantains, abaca, pineapple, papyrus, or agave.

[0024] The following Detailed Description references the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application, and which show, by way of illustration, specific example implementations. Other implementations may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a data flow diagram describing a system for making a pulping product from a feedstock.

[0026] Figure 2 is a flow chart describing an example implementation of a process performed by a feedstock treatment system.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Referring now to Figure 1, an example implementation of a process of converting a raw material into pulp from a feedstock will first be described. Such pulp can be used to make fibers, woven and non-woven fabrics and textiles, clothing, textile products, paper, paper products, packaging, or other materials. In this example implementation, the feedstock is subjected to enzymatic preprocessing and subsequently subjected to steam explosion. It should be understood that other kinds of pulping processes can be applied to the processed feedstock and that steam explosion is provided by way of example.

[0028] A feedstock 100 is the primary' raw material from which components will be extracted by the pulping process resulting in a pulping output 130, and is also referred to as a “biomass” herein. These components are transformed into fibers, woven and non-woven fabrics and textiles, clothing, textile products, paper, paper products, packaging, or other materials. There are many kinds of raw materials that can be used as a feedstock, and these can come from many sources (not shown). Example feedstocks are described in more detail below.

[0029] A combination of equipment is used to process the feedstock 100 into an intermediate product, herein called the “pulping output” 130. In some processes, particularly in making paper, this output 130 is called “pulp”. In some processes this output 130 is called “dissolving pulp” or “dissolving cellulose”, which is a bleached pulp that has a high cellulose content. Ideally, the dissolving pulp resulting from the pulping process has properties such as a high level of brightness and uniform molecular-weight distribution. Depending on the desired end product, the pulping output 130 is further processed into various products. In some contexts, the pulping output 130 is a commercially available product that is produced by one manufacturer, and is then sold and shipped to other manufacturers.

[0030] While a broad range of raw materials can be used as a feedstock 100, the system illustrated in Figure 1 is an example implementation of a system which processes a feedstock which includes a complex matrix of lignocellulosic biomass, i.e., an amalgamation of materials of which some of the components are lignin and cellulose, and which has properties of being both hydrophilic and hydrophobic.

[0031] Plants that display both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties also are called amphiphilic. Amphiphilic lignocellulosic plants useful for pulping are generally monocot fiber plants, which include, but are not limited to:

[0032] Plants in the poaceae family (grasses): examples include bamboo (bambusoideae subfamily), rice (oryza sativa), wheat (triticum aestivum), barley (hordeum vulgare). oats(avena sativa), rye (secale cereale), sugarcane (saccharum officinarum), com or maize (zea mays), millet (pennisetum glaucum or setaria italica), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Of these, bamboo fibers contain cellulose along with hemicellulose and lignin, which can provide some amphiphilic properties. Rice husk fibers contain cellulose along with silica and lignin, which can create amphiphilic characteristics. Wheat straw contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which can provide some degree of amphiphilicity. Com stover fibers contain a mix of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, contributing to amphiphilic properties.

[0033] Plants in the arecaceae family: examples include coconut (cocos nucifera), date palm (phoenix dactylifera), and oil palm (elaeis guineensis).

[0034] Plants in the musaceae family: examples include bananas and plantains (musa spp.), and abaca (musatextilis).

[0035] Plants in the bromeliaceae family: examples include pineapple (Ananas comosus).

[0036] Plants in the cyperaceae family: examples include papyrus (cyperus papyrus), sedges (carex spp.), cyperus digitatus, cyperus iria, and scirpus grossus.

[0037] Plants in the asparagaceae family: examples include agave or sisal (agave sisalana), yucca (yucca spp.), and asparagus (asparagus officinalis).

[0038] Pulping typically involves mechanically refining the feedstock 100, and then further chemically refining the mechanically refined feedstock with processing chemicals.

[0039] Mechanical refinement involves physically breaking down raw feedstock, using a mechanical refinement system 102, into smaller (relative to the raw feedstock) pieces, and removing (at least partially) impurities. Typically, the size of the pieces in the mechanically refined feedstock 104 is from about one (1) micron to ten (10) centimeters. The impurities should account for less than 5% of the mechanically refined feedstock. In some contexts, mechanically refined feedstock 104 is a commercially available product that is produced by one manufacturer or source, and is then sold and shipped to other manufacturers, in which case pulping performed by a manufacturer may involve primarily chemical refinement. The raw feedstock 100, or mechanically refined feedstock 104. can be collected from multiple different sources, but can be combined into a single input batch if substantially the same type.

[0040] A mechanical refinement system 102 can include equipment such as commercial bale opening equipment, with additional refining by a screw- extrusion shredder. The components of a mechanical refinement system will depend in part on the type of feedstock and the kinds of impurities to be removed.

[0041] Figure 1 describes an example implementation of a pulping process that uses steam explosion followed by further chemical processing. Steam explosion involves soaking a processed feedstock in water, such that cell walls of the cells in the processed feedstock absorb water. Upon heating, the water expands, breaking open the cell walls. This process is often called hydrolysis.

[0042] Because bamboo and other materials like it are both hydrophilic and hydrophobic, the mechanically refined feedstock 104 is subjected to a pre-hydrolysis treatment. The mechanically refined feedstock 104 is input to a pre-hydrolysis treatment system 106. This treatment system 106 performs the following processes. An example implementation will be described in connection with Figure 2.

[0043] First, an enzy matic treatment is applied to the mechanically refined feedstock 104. For example, a mechanically refined biomass (MRB), such as split bamboo, cut bamboo, chipped bamboo, or ground bamboo, is combined (200) with the enzyme(s) and a buffer. For example, the biomass may be placed in a vessel, or other containment device, with a solution including the enzyme(s). If a vessel is used, the vessel can be a separate vessel from the steam explosion plant 110; or, the vessel can be a vessel within the steam explosion plant 110. As an example implementation, the mixture can include a buffer of alkali or an acidic buffer, one or more enzymes, and the mechanically refined biomass. Examples of buffers include, but are not limited to, sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, or citrate. This mixture is then processed (202), which may include mixing, heating, or maintaining pH, or some combination of these, for a specified time. The containment device includes corresponding components and controls for such components to effect the processing. Subsequently, after such processing with the enzymes, the treated biomass is rinsed (206) to remove the buffer, enzyme, and any product created by the enzy me reacting with the biomass. The remaining treated biomass is recovered (208) to provide the processed feedstock 108.

[0044] The quantities of each of the buffer, enzyme, biomass, and other processing parameters, are dependent on the desired effect of the enzyme on the biomass, and thus depend on many factors. However, these factors can be readily determined experimentally. For example, to determine the desired quantities, a pair of experiments can be performed to determine suitable amounts of buffer, enzyme, and biomass.

[0045] A first experiment is performed to assess, for different amounts of enzyme, and a fixed amount of buffer and biomass, the respective effect of the amount of the enzyme. This effect can be an amount of product created by the reaction of enzy me with the biomass, or ameasurement of the residual effect on the biomass. Such measurements can be made using conventional laboratory techniques. Such quantity-effect relationships typically take the form of a Hill function, and experiments with different amounts of the enzy me allow the parameters of such a function to be determined.

[0046] A second experiment is performed to assess, for different amounts of biomass, the respective effects of an amount of enzyme and buffer on the biomass. Such effects might include whether the biomass begins clumping at some amount relative to the amount of the buffer.

[0047] With cellulase, the product of the reaction is residual sugar. Assessment of residual sugars (such as glucose, arabinose, cellobiose) can be done using HPLC. The cellulose content of the fiber can be analyzed using NREL / TP-510-42618, or TAPPI method T 203 cm-09. Preferably, both the product resulting from the enzymatic reaction (e.g., residual sugars) and measurements of residual matter in the biomass are measured and correlated from both experiments.

[0048] Given the results of such experiments, for a given biomass, enzyme, and buffer, desired quantities for those components in the pre-hydrolysis mixture can be computed. Other processing parameters for this pre-hydrolysis treatment typically depend on characteristics of the biomass, enzyme, and buffer. For example, processing using cellulase should be performed at a pH in the range of about 4.8 to about 5.0 and at a temperature of about 50 degrees Celsius. Processing using laccase should be performed at a pH in the range of about 4.8 to about 5.2 and at a temperature in the range of about 28 to 32 degrees Celsius. Processing using pectinase should be performed at a pH in the range of about 4.2 to about 5.0 and at a temperature in the range of about 38 to 32 degrees Celsius. Some pectinases have a wide range of pH and temperature tolerance and can be combined with laccases in the steps of some processes. The foregoing are examples, and ideal pH and temperature conditions depend strongly on the source of the enzyme and can differ from those noted above. Example buffers that can be used include, but are not limited to. sodium acetate (with cellulase, pectinase, or laccase), sodium phosphate (with cellulase), and citrate (with cellulase or pectinase).

[0049] Given such characteristics, one example of such pre-hydrolysis processing is the following. A vessel can be prepared with a mixture of a buffer, such as sodium acetate, having a pH of about 4.8 to 5.0, at a temperature in the range of about 28 to 32 degrees Celsius, and a mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass, such as bamboo powder. An amount of pectinase and an amount of laccase are added to this mixture and allowed to reactfor a certain time. After that time has completed, the biomass is washed with de-ionized water and dried. The washed and dried biomass then is placed in another solution of buffer, such as sodium acetate, sodium phosphate, or citrate, with a pH of about 4.8 to 5.0. The mixture is heated to about 50 degrees Celsius. An amount of cellulase is added to this mixture and allowed to react for a certain time. The mixture is then rinsed with de-ionized water to substantially remove the buffer and enzymes. In some implementations, the laccase, or the pectinase, or both, could be omitted.

[0050] Thus, the processed feedstock includes pieces of bamboo which have been subjected to enzymatic reactions. These enzymatic reactions disrupt the surface or cell walls or both. In some implementations, any wax in the structure of the bamboo also can be disrupted, if not substantially removed, for example using pectinase. Preferably, however, cellulose in the biomass is not completely broken down. As a result, the processed feedstock is more hydrophilic. The resulting processed feedstock, due to the increased ability of the processed feedstock to absorb water, is more effectively broken apart by the steam explosion process.

[0051] As noted above, the biological enzymes include one or more of cellulase, hemicellulase, laccase, peroxidase, or pectinase, or a combination of any two or more of these. In some implementations, only a cellulase is used. In some implementations, a cellulase and a hemicellulase are used. In some implementations, a cellulase, a hemicellulose, and a laccase are used. In some implementations, a cellulase and a laccase are used. In some implementations, a pectinase also is used.

[0052] The cellulase enzyme complex are enzymes that target cellulose, the primary component of plant cell walls. They break down cellulose, in a process called cellulolysis, into glucose units, facilitating the separation of cellulose fibers from lignin and hemicellulose. Specifically, cellulase breaks 0- 1,4-glycosidic bonds, converting cellulose into smaller sugar molecules, such as cellobiose and glucose. The cellulase enzyme complex includes endocellulases (e.g., endo-0-glucanases), exocellulases or cellobiohydrolases (e.g., exo-0- glucanases), and 0-glucosidases.

[0053] Hemicellulases are enzymes that break down hemicellulose, which is a polysaccharide made of various sugar molecules and is also a major component of plant cell w alls. There are many types of hemicellulose, such as pentosans, xylans, galactans, mannans, and glucans. Hemicellulase breaks the glycosidic bonds in hemicellulose, converting it into simple sugars like xylose, arabinose, and mannose. Hemicellulases include xylanases, mannanases, arabinanases, galactanases, and xyloglucanases. Specific examples hemicellulases include butare not limited to 0-1,3-glucanases, a-d-glucuronidases, a-l-arabinofuranosidases, a-d- galactosidases, P-xylosidases, and P-mannanases.

[0054] Laccases are employed for their ability to oxidize lignin compounds. They catalyze the polymerization and oxidation of phenolic and non-phenolic compounds, contributing to the breakdown and removal of lignin, which enhances the accessibility of cellulose and hemicellulose. Peroxidases, including manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, and versatile peroxidase, are involved in the oxidative cleavage of lignin. They promote the breakdow n of complex lignin structures into smaller, soluble fragments, allowing for selective lignin removal. These enzymes often require cofactors like hydrogen peroxide for their activity.

[0055] Pectinases are a group of enzymes that break down pectin, a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls. Referred to as pectic enzymes, they include pectolyase, pectozyme. and polygalacturonase. Pectinases can be extracted from fungi such as Aspergillus niger. Pectin is the jelly-like matrix which helps cement plant cells together and in which other cell wall components, such as cellulose fibrils, are embedded.

[0056] In some cases, suitable enzy mes can be obtained, using conventional techniques, by extracting secretions or other portions of microbes, fungi, or other organic matter found in soil in which the feedstock was grown.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 1, after the processed feedstock 108 is produced, a steam explosion plant 110 receives the processed feedstock, combines it with water, and heats the combination according to steam process controls 122. In the process performed by plant 110, the processed feedstock absorbs water, which is then heated to release steam. The release of the steam creates a partial vacuum and opens the fibers in the processed feedstock. A complex mixture, indicated as steam exploded material 111 , is output from the steam explosion plant 110.

[0058] In the example of Figure 1, after the processed feedstock is steam exploded to open up the fibers, the resulting steam exploded material 111 is a complex mixture which is further subjected to one or more conventional chemical reactions. The chemical processing system 1 12 performs a series of chemical reactions on the steam exploded material 111, using a combination of compounds 118, from sources 120, and according to a set of chemical process controls 124. Various equipment receives the compounds 118 and processes them with the steam exploded material 111 according to chemical process controls 124. The compounds 118 typically include a wetting agent (such as water), enzymes, solvents, or catalysts, or combination of one or more of these, in specified concentrations or relative amounts. Thechemical process controls 124 include controls such as volume, pH, temperature, dwell time, mixing, pressure, and respective concentrations of the various compounds. These chemical reactions break down the fibers into components, extract desired components, remove other components, and then recover, to the extent possible, some of the process inputs 118. The chemical process controls 124 and compounds 118 are fine-tuned for a given feedstock 100 and desired pulping output 130 to create an environment conducive to the desired chemical reactions, thereby enhancing the selectivity of lignin removal and cellulose preservation.

[0059] It should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific implementations described above. The specific implementations described above are disclosed as examples only.

[0060] What is claimed is:

Claims

CLAIMS1. A process for preparation of amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass, comprising: combining a mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass with an effective amount of an enzyme in a volume of buffer to form a mixture; processing the mixture to treat the biomass with the enzyme; and after processing the mixture, rinsing the treated biomass to substantially remove the buffer and enzyme, to provide a processed feedstock for further processing.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the enzyme comprises at least a cellulase.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the enzyme further comprises a hemicellulase.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein the enzyme further comprises a laccase.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein the enzyme further comprises a pectinase.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the enzyme further comprises an enzyme from secretions a microbe, fungus, or other organic matter found in soil in which a feedstock including the amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass was grown.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass comprises mechanically refined material from a monocot.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the poaceae family.

9. The process of claim 7, wherein the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the arecaceae family.

10. The process of claim 7, wherein the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the musaceae family.1 1. The process of claim 7, wherein the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the bromeliaceae family.

12. The process of claim 7, wherein the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the cyperaceae family.

13. The process of claim 7, wherein the monocot is selected from the group consisting of plants in the asparagaceae family.

14. A pulping process for amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass, comprising: combining a mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass with an effective amount of an enzyme in a volume of buffer to form a mixture; processing the mixture to treat the biomass with the enzyme; after processing the mixture, rinsing the treated biomass to substantially remove the buffer and enzyme, to provide processed feedstock; steam exploding the processed feedstock to produce a complex mixture of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin; and chemically processing the complex mixture to extract cellulose.

15. The pulping process of claim 14, further comprising processing the extracted cellulose into pulp.

16. The pulping process of claim 14, wherein the mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass comprises mechanically refined material from a monocot.

17. A processed feedstock originating from an amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass for use in a pulping process, comprising mechanically refined pieces of the amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass, wherein the pieces have been subjected to enzymatic reactions to disrupt surface or cell w alls.

18. The processed feedstock of claim 17 where the mechanically refined pieces of the amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass further have wax disrupted on the surface.

19. The processed feedstock of claim 18 wherein all the mechanically refined pieces of the amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass have a respective size from about one micron to about ten centimeters.

20. The processed feedstock of claim 19, wherein the processed feedstock includes impurities of less than about five percent.

21. The processed feedstock of claim 20, wherein the mechanically refined amphiphilic lignocellulosic biomass comprises mechanically refined material from a monocot.

Images