SYSTEM FOR COOLING PRETREATED BIOMASS PRIOR TO MIXING WITH ENZYMES

摘要

A method to treat biomass, e.g., lignocellulosic material, including: performing a pretreatment step on the biomass and discharging the pretreated biomass; in at least a first enzymatic hydrolysis reactor producing a liquefaction material, recirculating at least a portion of the liquefaction material from the at least first reactor to a location upstream of the addition of the enzymes as at least a portion of the coolant for the hot pretreated biomass.

主权项

1. A system for enzymatically hydrolyzing a biomass material comprising:
a pretreatment reactor for receiving the biomass material; a transfer system, in fluid communication with a discharge of the pretreatment reactor, capable of receiving cooling liquid and pH adjusting material, or any combination thereof to produce a cooled and pH controlled pretreated biomass, an enzyme addition system in fluid communication with the transfer system for the addition of enzyme solution to the cooled and pH controlled pretreated biomass, an at least one vessel in fluid communication with the transfer system to transform the cooled and pH controlled pretreated biomass from a higher apparent viscosity and high unconverted cellulose to sugar content to a lower apparent viscosity and lower unconverted cellulose to sugar content, thereby creating a liquefaction material; recirculating at least a portion of the liquefaction material to the pretreated biomass as at least a portion of the cooling liquid, transferring at least a second portion of the liquefaction material to subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis reactor vessels to produce fully hydrolyzed biomass.