Ensiling Biomass for Biofuels Production and Multiple Phase Apparatus for Hydolyzation of Ensiled Biomass

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for the hydrolyzation of ensiled biomass is disclosed. Ensiled biomass is processed in multiple phases, resulting in a liquid precursor hydrozate and a solid precursor hydrozate. The liquid precursor having significant economic value, and being suitable for uses such as, for example, lower cost and improved efficiency ethanol production. A method for lower cost, improved efficiency alcohol production that uses the resulting liquid precursor hydrozate being produced at distributed sources is further disclosed.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A system for producing a liquid precursor hydrozate and a solid precursor hydrozate, the system comprising:
 (a) a biomass composition comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignocellulose;   (b) an acid treatment vessel for combining the biomass composition with an acid;   (c) a first press operatively coupled to the acid treatment vessel for removing water from the acid treated biomass composition;   (d) a heat treatment vessel operatively coupled to the first press for combining the dewatered, acid treated biomass composition with hot water;   (e) a second press operatively coupled to the heat treatment vessel to separate a liquid precursor hydrozate from a solid precursor hydrozate; and   (f) a process control system.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising a water extraction device for concentrating the liquid precursor hydrozate. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the water extraction device is a reverse osmosis system. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the water extraction device is an applied heat system. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the water extraction device is an ultra filtration system. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the water extraction device is a nano filtration system. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the system is portable. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the first press or the second press is a mechanical press. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the first press or the second press is a cetrifuge press. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the first press or the second press is a gravity press. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 23 , further comprising an enzymatic treatment vessel for combining the solid precursor hydrozate with one or more enzymes. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the biomass composition comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignocellulose further comprises hard grains, starches, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the biomass composition comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignocellulose is corn stover, cereal straws, sugarcane bagasse, sawdust, paper pulp, waste materials, switchgrass, animal feed, paper, cardboard, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the acid is sulfuric acid. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the acid is an organic acid or a mineral acid. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the acid is hydrochloric acid. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the biomass composition comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignocellulose is an ensiled biomass.