Purification Methods and Systems Related to Renewable Materials and Biofuels Production

Abstract

Methods of producing renewable materials may include consuming a fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce a renewable material in fermentation broth; water may then be separated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations, or the renewable material may be concentrated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations. Methods of producing biofuel components may include consuming a lignocellulosic or sugar fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce either ethanol or butanol in fermentation broth; cooling the feedstock or broth to solidify at least some water therein; and separating the solidified water from the feedstock or broth using a solid-liquid phase separation.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A biofuel component composition comprising a biologically-derived carbohydrate material separated from a quantity of water by fractional freezing methods. 
     
     
         29 . The biofuel component composition of  claim 28 , wherein the biologically-derived carbohydrate material is produced at least in part by a microorganism within a period of less than about five years. 
     
     
         30 . The biofuel component composition of  claim 28 , wherein in the biologically-derived carbohydrate material comprises an alcohol. 
     
     
         31 . The biofuel component composition of  claim 29 , wherein the biologically-derived carbohydrate material comprises butanol. 
     
     
         32 . A system for producing a biofuel, the system comprising:
 a fermentation vessel adapted to contain a biological organism;   a first heat removal device in fluid communication with the fermentation vessel, and adapted to reduce a temperature of a substance to solidify at least one component of the substance; and   a solid-liquid separation device in fluid communication with the fermentation vessel and/or the first heat removal device, and adapted to separate a solid portion from a liquid portion.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 a second heat removal device in fluid communication with the fermentation vessel, and adapted to reduce a temperature of a substance to at least remove a heat of fermentation; and   a chilling device adapted to receive at least a portion of the heat removed by the second heat removal device and provide cooling to the first heat removal device.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 32 , further comprising:
 a distillation device in fluid communication with the fermentation vessel and adapted to separate one or more components of a fermentation broth;   a second heat removal device in fluid communication with the distillation device, and adapted to reduce a temperature of a substance; and   a chilling device adapted to receive at least a portion of the heat removed by the second heat removal device and provide cooling to the first heat removal device.   
     
     
         35 . A system for producing a biofuel, the system comprising:
 a vessel adapted to contain a fermentation feedstock;   a first heat removal device in fluid communication with the vessel, and adapted to reduce a temperature of a substance to solidify at least one component of the substance; and   a solid-liquid separation device in fluid communication with the vessel and/or the first heat removal device, and adapted to separate a solid portion from a liquid portion.