Processing biomass

Abstract

Methods are provided for reducing one or more dimensions of individual pieces of biomass; treating biomass, such as size-reduced biomass; changing a molecular structure of a biomass material; and, optionally, subjecting the biomass to a primary process to form a product. The methods include processing biomass materials using a screw extrusion process, and treating the biomass material with a screw extrusion process in size-reduction and treating steps.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of processing biomass, the method comprising: reducing one or more dimensions of individual pieces of biomass; exposing the biomass to a first dose of electron beam radiation using a scanning electron beam; conveying the biomass, using a screw; and exposing the biomass to a second dose of electron beam radiation using a scanning electron beam; wherein the electron beam radiation from the first dose and the second dose are each provided by a scanning electron beam device operated at a power from 50 kW to 500 kW, and the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each provided at a dose rate of at least 1 Mrad per second; and wherein the biomass comprises cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic material. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, after exposure to the second dose of electron beam radiation, subjecting the biomass to a primary process to form a product. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the primary process comprises fermentation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the primary process comprises contacting the biomass with a microorganism and/or an enzyme having the ability to convert at least a portion of the biomass to the product. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the product comprises a combustible fuel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the microorganism comprises a bacterium or a yeast. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein converting comprises fermentation of sugars derived from the biomass. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein exposure to the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation is performed on the biomass while the biomass is exposed to air or air enriched with an oxidizing gas. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a combined total dosage of between about 10 Mrad and about 150 Mrad. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each provided at a power of 50 kW. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a combined total dosage of at least about 10 Mrad. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a power of 100 kW. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a power of 250 kW. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first dose and the second dose of electron beam radiation are each applied at a power of 500 kW.