Methods for enhanced processing of biomass using flash desiccation and/or mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation
View Patent ↗Methods are disclosed for conditioning biomass. The methods generally include flash dessicating the biomass to reduce a particle size of the biomass; mixing the biomass with a liquid carrier; and exposing the biomass and the liquid carrier to a mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation process. The methods can be employed during ethanol production from grain based feedstock.
1. A method for conditioning biomass, comprising, in sequence:
flash dessicating the biomass to reduce a particle size of the biomass;
mixing the biomass with a liquid carrier; and
exposing the biomass and the liquid carrier to a mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation process.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid carrier is water.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the biomass comprises grains, cellulose, algae, wood, seeds, and grasses.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the grains comprise corn.
5. A method for conditioning biomass during ethanol production, the method comprising:
flash dessicating the biomass prior to mixing the biomass with water to form a slurry in an amount effective to reduce particle size; and
exposing the slurry to a mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation process.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein exposing the slurry to the mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation process is immediately prior to a selected one or more of a pretreatment step, a cooking step, a liquefaction step, and a saccharification step.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the biomass comprises grains, cellulose, algae, wood, seeds, and grasses.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the flash dessicating the biomass prior to mixing the biomass with water to form the slurry is subsequent to milling of the biomass.
9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the flash dessicating the biomass prior to mixing the biomass with water to form the slurry is prior to milling of the biomass.
10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the flash dessicating the biomass prior to mixing the biomass with water to form the slurry is prior to and subsequent to milling of the biomass.