Patent ID: 8512979
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: B09B,C12M,D21C

Abstract:
1. A process for pretreating biomass comprising: a) introducing biomass to a reaction vessel comprising: b) contacting said biomass with a process reactant comprising an aqueous solution comprising ammonia to form a biomass-aqueous ammonia mixture in the reaction vessel, wherein the ammonia is present at a concentration at least sufficient to maintain alkaline pH of the biomass-aqueous ammonia mixture but wherein said ammonia is present at less than 12 weight percent relative to dry weight of biomass, and further wherein the dry weight of biomass is at a solids concentration of at least 15 weight percent relative to the weight of the biomass-aqueous ammonia mixture; wherein said processing reactant is assimilated into said biomass by rotating the baffles of the reaction vessel whereby the baffles lift and drop the attrition media to produce a pretreated biomass.