73 results about "Biorefining" patented technology

This invention relates to novel enzymes and novel methods for producing the same. More specifically this invention relates to a variety of fungal enzymes. Nucleic acid molecules encoding such enzymes, compositions, recombinant and genetically modified host cells, and methods of use are described. The invention also relates to a method to convert lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars with enzymes that degrade the lignocellulosic material and novel combinations of enzymes, including those that provide a synergistic release of sugars from plant biomass. The invention also relates to a method to release cellular content by degradation of cell walls. The invention also relates to methods to use the novel enzymes and compositions of such enzymes in a variety of other processes, including washing of clothing, detergent processes, biorefining, deinking and biobleaching of paper and pulp, and treatment of waste streams.

The present invention relates to a method using sulfite pretreatment to overcome recalcitrance of lignocellulose (SPORL). More specifically, it relates to a sulfite-based chemical process for pretreating biomass in solutions to reduce access barriers of enzymes to the lignocellulose, resulting in efficient conversion through enzymatic saccharification.

A biorefining process used to convert lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol via a fermentation pathway. In a first pretreatment process step, the biomass is mixed with an aqueous wash solution to remove soluble carbohydrates from the biomass structure. Next, the solid fraction is separated from a liquid fraction. In a second pretreatment process, the solid fraction is pre-treated to make the fiber bundles and complex polysaccharides more amenable to enzymatic hydrolysis. Following the second pretreatment process, the pre-treated biomass is subjected to one or more enzymes in a hydrolysis process. The liquid fraction isolated from the first pretreatment process is diverted past the second pretreatment process and is recombined with the solid fraction in the hydrolysis process. The enzyme cocktail in the hydrolysis process breaks down the alpha- and hemicellulose polymers into fermentable sugars. Finally, a fermentation process produces a “beer” that is further processed in a distillation and dehydration process.

Methods and systems for developing and bio-refining or processing biomass feedstocks into a spectrum of bio-based products which can be used as a substitute for fossil oil derivatives in various types of product manufacturing processes and/or the production of bio-energy are disclosed. In addition, methods and systems for identifying, measuring and controlling key parameters in relation to specific biomass developing processes and bio-refining processes so as to maximize the efficiency and efficacy of such processes while standardizing the underlying parameters to facilitate and enhance large-scale production of bio-based products and/or bio-energy are disclosed.

Methods and systems for developing and bio-refining or processing biomass feedstocks into a spectrum of bio-based products which can be used as a substitute for fossil oil derivatives in various types of product manufacturing processes and/or the production of bio-energy are disclosed. In addition, methods and systems for identifying, measuring and controlling key parameters in relation to specific biomass developing processes and bio-refining processes so as to maximize the efficiency and efficacy of such processes while standardizing the underlying parameters to facilitate and enhance large-scale production of bio-based products and/or bio-energy are disclosed.

Processes and systems for concurrent recovery of lignin derivatives and syngas from a lignocellulosic feedstock. The processes and systems therefor generally comprise the steps of: (a) perfusing and cooking the lignocellulosic feedstock with a suitable organic solvent for a suitable period of time thereby producing a cellulosic solids output stream and a spent liquid solvent stream, said spent liquid solvent stream comprising solubilized lignin derivatives and other organic compounds; (b) separating said cellulosic solids output stream and said spent liquid solvent stream; (c) recovering lignin derivatives from the spent liquid solvent stream thereby producing at least a partially de-lignified spent liquid solvent stream; (d) recovering a portion of the organic solvent from the at least partially de-lignified spent liquid solvent stream thereby producing a stillage; and (e) gasifying the cellulosic solids output stream thereby producing a combustible syngas.

This application provides a method of using a highly clarified and clean lignin, derived from a specific biorefinery process to make a starch foam and products of the same. The lignin can be used as a low cost filler substitute for starch and other substrates that are currently employed in foam applications. The lignin has the right mechanical, physical, thermoplastic and barrier properties to enable easy handling and to impart improved properties such as UV resistance, water resistance and other physical parameters to starch foams.

The present invention generally provides methods of improving lignin separation during lignocellulosic biorefining, comprising the steps of (i) catalyzing fractionation or hydrolysis with an acid to release sugars into an acidified solution containing lignin, (ii) neutralizing the acidified solution with a base to form a salt in a neutralized solution; (iii) in a separation unit, separating the salt and the lignin, each in free or combined form, from the neutralized solution; and then (iv) recycling a portion of the salt and optionally a portion of the lignin to step (i) to combine, physically or chemically, with the lignin, to improve lignin separation in the separation unit. In certain embodiments, the acid is a sulfur-containing acid and the base is lime, forming gypsum which is then recycled, in part, to the hydrolysis reactor.

The present invention provides a process for producing gasoline components from syngas. Syngas is converted to one or more of methanol, ethanol, mixed alcohols, and dimethyl ether, followed by various combinations of separations and reactions to produce gasoline components with oxygenates, such as alcohols. The syngas is preferably derived from biomass or another renewable carbon-containing feedstock, thereby providing a biorefining process for the production of renewable gasoline.

In some variations, a process is provided for producing a pulp product at a biorefinery site, comprising: converting a woody cellulosic material to a first pulp stream; converting a non-woody cellulosic material to a second pulp stream; blending the second pulp stream into the first pulp stream; and recovering or further processing the blended pulp stream as a pulp product. Biorefinery site infrastructure may be shared between the woody and non-woody lines. Also, the process may include process integration of mass and/or energy between the woody and non-woody lines. The process may be a retrofit addition to a pulp plant, or a greenfield biorefinery site. The non-woody line also can generate fermentable sugars, for fermentation to ethanol (or other products). Through allocation of carbon credits from the ethanol to the pulp, the final pulp product life-cycle profile can be improved.

The present invention relates generally to the generation of bio-products from organic matter feedstocks. More specifically, the present invention relates to improved methods for the hydrothermal/thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic and/or fossilised organic feedstocks into biofuels (e.g. bio-oils) and/or chemical products (e.g. platform chemicals).

The present invention describes a method of producing alcohol from pretreated lignocellulosic biomass wherein the enzymatic hydrolysis stage is carried out with cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic enzymes produced using at least one effluent from another ethanol production process using a sugar plant as the feedstock. This method can be integrated in a method of producing alcohol from cellulosic or lignocellulosic materials, referred to as second-generation method, comprising the following stages:

• • 1) chemical and/or physical pretreatment of a cellulosic or lignocellulosic substrate,
  • 2) enzymatic hydrolysis of the pretreated substrate using cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic enzymes,
  • 3) alcoholic fermentation by a suitable alcohol-producing microorganism of the hydrolysate from stage (2) until a fermentation must is obtained, and separation of the alcohol-producing microorganism used in stage (3), separation/purification of the alcohol.

This invention relates to a lignin sorbent, a lignin removal unit, a biorefinery, a process for removing lignin, a process for binding lignin, and a renewable material. The lignin sorbent includes a substrate, and a lignin binding material dispersed with respect to the substrate. The lignin binding process includes the step of adding a lignin binding material to an input stream, and the step of converting the input stream into a renewable material.

The disclosed invention is a modification of the AVAP® technology, employing CO₂ (or derivatives thereof) rather than SO₂ in the cooking liquor. In some variations, the invention provides a process for fractionating cellulosic biomass into cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, comprising: fractionating the feedstock in the presence of a solvent for lignin, carbon dioxide, and water, to produce a liquor containing hemicellulose, cellulose-rich solids, and lignin; substantially removing the cellulose-rich solids from the liquor; hydrolyzing the hemicellulose contained in the liquor, to produce hemicellulosic monomers; hydrolyzing at least some of the cellulose-rich solids to produce glucose (or recovering the cellulose-rich solids as a cellulose product); recovering the hemicellulosic monomers to produce fermentable sugars; and recovering the lignin which may be in the form of a lignocarbonate.