Cooling and processing materials

Abstract

Systems and methods for cooling and processing materials are disclosed.

1 . A method comprising:
 converting a cooled biomass material to a product utilizing a microorganism and/or enzyme, wherein at least one of cooling and converting the biomass material is performed using a mobile processing unit.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising grinding or comminuting the biomass material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein grinding or comminuting is performed before the biomass material has been cooled. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein treating further comprises irradiating the biomass material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cooled biomass material has a bulk density of less than about 0.8 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein comminuting is performed in a freeze grinding or freeze milling device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the product comprises an alcohol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the product comprises ethanol and/or butanol. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the biomass material comprises a cellulosic or lignocellulosic material. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the biomass material comprises cellulose and converting the cooled material comprises utilizing an enzyme to saccharify the cellulose. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the method further comprises fermenting the product of saccharification to produce an alcohol. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein cooling comprises cooling the material to a temperature below the brittle point of the material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein cooling and/or converting are performed while the material is in transit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the material is in transit by ship, barge, train, or truck. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the mobile processing unit is transportable by ship, barge, train, or truck. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 treating a hydrocarbon-containing material by cooling the material; and   converting the cooled material to a product by further processing of the cooled hydrocarbon-containing material;   wherein treating and/or converting is performed using a mobile processing unit.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the hydrocarbon-containing material is selected from the group consisting of tar sands, oil sands, oil shale, crude oil, bitumen, coal, and liquefied natural gas. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein treating further comprises irradiating the starting material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein cooling is performed prior to irradiating. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein treating comprises temperature cycling the starting material. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16  wherein treating and/or converting is performed while the material is in transit.