Processing biomass

Abstract

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., by fermentation.

1 . A method of processing biomass comprising:
 providing ground or surface water that is contaminated with contaminants selected from the group consisting of chemicals, heavy metals, and microbial contamination;   removing some or all of the contaminants from the contaminated water to produce process water;   recovering the contaminants as one or more co-products; and   utilizing at least a portion of the process water to convert a cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass to an intermediate or product in a saccharification or fermentation process.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising using a portion of the process water in cooling tower and boiler systems. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising blending the process water with fresh, uncontaminated water. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sterilizing the contaminated water. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein sterilization is performed using radiation, heat, oxidants, or flash pasteurization. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein removing the contaminants reduces the level of contamination to less than 10,000 ppm. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the co-products comprises metals or oil.