PROCESSING BIOMASS

摘要

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to proceed ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

主权项

1. A fermentation method comprising:
mixing in a medium xylose, one or more fermenting microorganisms, and an ionizing radiation irradiated cellulosic or lignocellulosic material, fermenting the xylose to a fermentation product, wherein the fermentation step produces fermentation product at a faster rate than would be produced in the fermentation step in the absence of the irradiated cellulosic or lignocellulosic material.