Abstract:
This disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for pulping agricultural products. Features for ensiling agricultural crops, separating solids and liquids, and processing the solids and liquids for use in a variety of products and processes are disclosed. For instance, systems and methods are disclosed for pulping grass crops, making products for energy conversion processes, screening fine debris, cell bursting, using strongly alkaline chemicals in pulping processes, and using sorghum plant for producing pulp.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/049,878 filed on Sep. 12, 2014 and entitled “Systems, Devices and Methods for Agricultural Product Pulping”, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to pulping agricultural products. In particular, systems and processes for pulping wet agricultural silage using liquid separation, screening fines, cell bursting, and alkaline chemicals are disclosed. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Agricultural crops have been used in the production of energy and other non-food products. However, it would be advantageous to increase the cost-effectiveness of biomass processing of agricultural processes. It would also be advantageous to provide valuable outputs in addition to energy. 
         [0004]    Most paper is currently produced from trees, which grow slowly. It can take 10 years, 20 years, or more between harvest of such forest crops. Pulping processes are energy-intensive and often use bleach and other potentially harmful chemicals. Thus, it would be advantageous to use more rapidly-growing crops in the production of paper pulp and to simplify the process by which paper products are produced. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The embodiments disclosed herein each have several aspects no single one of which is solely responsible for the disclosure&#39;s desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this disclosure, its more prominent features will now be briefly discussed. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description,” one will understand how the features of the embodiments described herein provide advantages over existing pulping processes. 
         [0006]    In a first aspect, systems and methods for an ensilage process for the purpose of using silage for pulping of agricultural crops are disclosed. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, systems and methods for an ensilage process for the purpose of pulping of grass crops are disclosed. 
         [0008]    In a further aspect, systems and methods for the separation of liquid from agricultural crops using mechanical and/or physical means for the purpose of pulp and/or energy production are disclosed. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, systems and methods for screening of fine debris from agricultural crops for the purpose of pulp production are disclosed. 
         [0010]    In a further aspect, systems and methods for cell burst using low to high temperature for the purpose of utilizing agricultural crops in pulp production are disclosed. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, systems and methods for using strongly alkaline chemicals, such as Lime (Ca(OH) 2 ), Caustic Potash (KOH) and/or Caustic Soda (NaOH) and Hydrogen Peroxide to produce pulp from agricultural crops, are disclosed. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect, systems and methods for using sorghum plant material for the production of pulp are disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of certain embodiments, which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of components in an embodiment of a system for pulping agricultural products, showing mostly components of the separation stage and liquid pathway. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1B  is a schematic illustration of components of the system of  FIG. 1A , showing mostly components of the solid pathway. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2A  is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an overview process for pulping agricultural products. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2B  is a flowchart of part of the process of  FIG. 2A  showing a process for ensilage of agricultural crops. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2C  is a flowchart of part of the process of  FIG. 2A  showing a process for separating solids and liquids in agricultural crops. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2D  is a flowchart of part of the process of  FIG. 2A  showing a process for processing liquids using the liquid pathway components shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
           [0020]      FIGS. 2E-2F  are flowcharts of part of the process of  FIG. 2A  showing a process for processing solids using the solid pathway components shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the development. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts or steps may be designated with like numerals throughout for clarity. Reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not others. 
         [0022]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the invention described herein. 
         [0023]    Some terms or phrases used herein may be unfamiliar to the reader. Therefore, descriptions of these terms will be given. The following descriptions of certain terms are meant to assist with understanding the present disclosure. The descriptions are not meant to limit the disclosure but rather clarify the meaning of these terms as they are used herein. Any examples given are merely illustrative and are not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. These descriptions will apply to the terms as used throughout the disclosure, unless the context in which they are used indicates otherwise. Furthermore, variations of these terms will also have the same description as the related term given below. 
         [0024]    The term “juicing” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to the process by which a liquid fraction is mechanically or physically removed from a solid agricultural crop. 
         [0025]    The term “juiced crop” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to the solid fraction following juicing. 
         [0026]    The term “agricultural crop” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to material harvested from plants grown on arable land. Agricultural crops or “crops” may include, but are not limited to, any grass type crop, millet, wheat, cane, sorghum, switch grass, and corn. 
         [0027]    The term “dry harvest” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to the process by which crops are chopped, then raked or collected in rows, allowed them to dry, and finally collected days or weeks later. The crops are typically baled, but may also be collected in piles. 
         [0028]    The term “wet harvest” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to a process by which an agricultural crop is harvested wet, collected and placed into either, but not limited to: piles, a pit, tubes, silos, or other conditions by which contact of oxygen with the product is minimized, such as in an ensilage process. 
         [0029]    The term “ensilage” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to a process by which, once crops are collected, oxygen is driven out to prevent degradation of organic materials that is commonly due to the presence of oxygen. This can be done with, but not limited to: piles, a pit, tubes, silos, or other conditions by which contact of oxygen with the product is minimized. This process can last days, weeks, months or even years. 
         [0030]    The term “silage” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to the product exiting the ensilage process. 
         [0031]    The term “anaerobic digestion” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to a process by which organic materials are converted by microbial action to methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). 
         [0032]    The term “pulping” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to a process by which organic materials are treated with chemicals that allows fibrous compounds to be separated from lower value material. The fibrous compounds can then be used for paper, packaging, absorbency materials, or other similar products. 
         [0033]    The term “filtrate” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to the liquid fraction derived from a filtering process. 
         [0034]    The term “pressate” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to the liquid fraction derived from a pressing operation, such as a screw press or roll press. It may be used interchangeably with “juices,” unless the context indicates otherwise. 
         [0035]    The term “silage coverage” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to any organic material that is on the surface of an ensilage pile that has become exposed to oxygen and begun the decomposition process due to the oxygen exposure. 
         [0036]    The term “fines” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to material that is smaller than the designated sieve, slot or hole size and that passes through a filtering media. 
         [0037]    The term “nutrients” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to compounds that an organism utilizes to survive and grow, which includes but is not limited to nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. 
         [0038]    The term “methanogenic archaea” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to microorganisms that produce methane as a metabolic byproduct in low or zero oxygen conditions. They are similar to bacteria, but found to be more ancient in origin. 
         [0039]    The term “cure” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to a process by which solids are allowed to cool down and reach and maintain a stable ambient temperature. 
         [0040]    The term “cell burst” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to a process by which cell walls of a plant material are ruptured utilizing heated water. 
         [0041]    The term “grass crop” is used herein in its ordinary sense as understood by those of skill in the art to refer to a group of agricultural crops that are above ground. It may also be referred to simply as grasses. This includes, but is not limited to, sorghum, corn, arundo donax, giant reed, bamboo, sudan grass and wheat. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are schematic illustrations of different portions of an embodiment of a system  100  for pulping agricultural products.  FIG. 1A  shows details of the separation stage  150  and the liquid processing portion or liquid pathway  200 , while  FIG. 1B  shows details of the solid processing portion or solid pathway  300 . While the separation stage  150  and the two pathways  200 ,  300  may each be discussed separately, it is understood that they may be combined into one larger process and may interact with each other, as further described herein. Further, the classification of the system  100  into various portions or subsystems, such as the separation stage  150 , the liquid pathway  200  and the solid pathway  300 , is done merely for ease and convenience in describing the system  100 . Such classification or division of the system  100  is approximate and does not provide definite boundaries in the system  100 . Therefore, parts of the system  100 , and the associated processes, may be described in the context of one or the other pathway, but it is understood that the parts and the associated processes may be considered to be part of both pathways. As an example, initial juicing systems and processes may be described in the context of the separation stage  150 , but it is understood that such juicing systems and processes may also be considered to be part of the liquid pathway  200  and/or solid pathway  300 . Thus, the division of the system  100  for the sake of description should not be read as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0043]    The system  100  may be used to produce pulping products as well as byproducts to be used in fuel or energy applications as well as fertilizers. In some embodiments, the system  100  is used to primarily produce paper products, and byproducts from system  100  are used for energy or fuel production and/or fertilizers. 
       Separation Stage 
       [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , schematically illustrated components of embodiments of the separation stage  150  and the liquid pathway  200  are shown. In some embodiments, the system  100  includes the separation stage  150  connected to the liquid pathway  200  and the solid pathway  300 . Components of the separation stage  150  will now be described, followed by detailed discussion of components of the liquid pathway  200  and the solid pathway  300 . 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the separation stage  150  of the system  100  includes an ensilage facility  204 . The agricultural crops used in system  100  may be grown as any other plant material and/or based on common regional practices and may be collected at the regionally determined harvest schedule. Harvesting of the crops may be performed utilizing ensilage specialized equipment. Upon harvesting of the crop, the materials are placed into the ensilage facility  204 . In some embodiments, the ensilage facility is a pit. It may further be a pile, silo, or tube. The ensilage facility  204  may further comprise mechanisms for compacting the crops to minimize exposure of the crops to oxygen. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, the separation stage  150  of the system  100  includes a water bath  206 . The water bath  206  may be connected to or otherwise coupled with the ensilage facility  204 , such as by chute, conveyor, etc. The ensilaged crop, also known as silage, may be removed as needed from the ensilage facility  204  and sent to the water bath  206 . 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, the separation stage  150  includes a roll press  208 . The roll press  208  may be connected to or otherwise coupled with the water bath  206 , such as by chute, conveyor, etc. The silage may be sent from the water bath  206  to the roll press  208  for a first juicing or squeezing to remove liquid juices, or pressate. The first juicing in the roll press  208  extracts a certain portion of the liquid fraction of the silage. In some embodiments, the first juicing in the roll press  208  extracts between 20% and 80% of the liquids. The solids remaining after this first juicing are then typically, but not limited to, around 50% moisture. 
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the separation stage  150  includes a fine separation  210 . At the fine separation  210 , the juiced solids may be screened to remove any fines that did not go out with the juice. Removal of fines increases the overall fiber length of the pulp product. Removal of fines also increases the overall beneficial characteristics of the pulp product. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, the separation stage  150  includes a rewetting stage  212 . The rewetting stage  212  may be connected to or otherwise coupled with the roll press  208 . After the liquids and fines are removed from the crop in the roll press  208  and fine separation  210 , the solids are sent to the rewetting stage  212 . In some embodiments, the solids are conveyed to the rewetting stage  212 . In the rewetting stage  212 , the solids are rewet. In some embodiments, the solids are rewetted with warm and/or hot water. In some embodiments, the water is eighty degrees Fahrenheit (80° F.) or more. In some embodiments, steam may also be used. The steam may help to speed up the process. In some embodiments, the rewetting stage  212  provides a cell burst, allowing nutrients tightly bound within the cell structure to be extracted. Cell burst exposes the nutrients held within the cell walls, such as the nucleus and membranes. Cell burst makes the pulping process more efficient and easier to work with by breaking down long cellulosic materials, which make up the cell wall. Organic materials extracted following the cell burst are primarily volatile solids which may carry little or no value to pulping, but they may carry high value for anaerobic digestion and energy production. In some embodiments, material leaving the rewetting stage  212  may be around eighty-five percent (85%) moisture. In some embodiments, the material leaving the rewetting stage  212  may be much more, or much less, than eighty-five percent (85%) moisture. When plant tissue is dried before cell burst, it is more difficult to convert to pulp. Further, minimal chemical injection is required to convert cell burst tissues to pulp as compared to those that are not cell burst. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, the separation stage  150  includes a roll press  216 . The roll press  216  may be connected to the rewetting stage  212 . In some embodiments, the roll press  216  is in addition to the roll press  208 . In some embodiments, the roll press  216  is the same as the roll press  208  used before the rewetting stage  212 , so that only one roll press is used to perform the two juicing operations. The rewetted solids from the rewetting stage  212  are subjected to the roll press  216  for another roll pressing process, which again extracts the liquids from the solids. This juicing step with the roll press  216  allows a greater percentage of the nutrients to be pulled from the solids. 
         [0051]    In some embodiments, the separation stage  150  is connected to one or both of the liquid pathway  200  and solid pathway  300 . In some embodiments, the pressate from the roll press  216  is combined with the pressate from the roll press  208 . The pressate may then be sent to the liquid pathway  200  of the system  100 . The system may include a fines removal screening  218 . The screening  218  may be after the roll press  216 . At the screening  218 , the fines may be removed from the solution. In some embodiments, solids from the second stage pressing with the roll press  216  are sent to the solid pathway  300 . 
       Liquids Pathway 
       [0052]    Referring again to  FIG. 1A , schematically illustrated components of an embodiment of the liquid pathway  200  of system  100  are shown. Components of the liquid pathway  200  will now be described, followed by detailed discussion of the solid pathway  300 . 
         [0053]    The liquid pathway  200  may include one or more hydrolysis tanks  220 . In some embodiments, there are multiple hydrolysis tanks  220 . As shown, the liquids from the roll press  208  and/or the roll press  216  in the separation stage  150  are discharged to the hydrolysis tank  220 . In some embodiments, the liquid fractions, or pressates, from both juicing presses, i.e. the roll press  208  and the roll press  216 , are pumped into the hydrolysis tank  220 . The hydrolysis tank  220  may therefore be connected or otherwise coupled with the roll press  208  and/or the roll press  216 . In some embodiments, piping allows for transport of the liquids and connects the hydrolysis tank  220  to one or both roll presses  208 ,  216 . 
         [0054]    In some embodiments, the hydrolysis tank  220  is a vessel or standpipe. The hydrolysis tank  220  may allow for the breakdown of organic material in the pressate to smaller organic chains. In some embodiments, organic material is broken down via bacterial consumption. In some embodiments, these smaller carbon chains or molecules are broken down by methanogenic organisms. In some embodiments, these smaller carbon chains or molecules are broken down by methanogenic archaea. In some embodiments, the smaller carbon chains are broken down into CH 4 . In some embodiments, the smaller carbon chains are broken down primarily into CH 4 . In some embodiments, the pH is raised in the hydrolysis tank  220 . In some embodiments, the pH is raised slightly in the hydrolysis tank  220 . The hydrolysis tanks  220  may be used for preparation of the pressate for anaerobic digestion. 
         [0055]    Following the hydrolysis tank  220 , the pressate may be transferred, such as by pumping, to an anaerobic digester feed tank  224 . In the feed tank  224 , the pressate may combine with other pressate or materials. In some embodiments, the pressate combines with pulp pressate, sorghum fines, sorghum silage coverage and/or any other organic wastes. In some embodiments, the pressate is combined with organic waste that is beneficial or useful for the purpose of energy production. The pH level in the feed tank  224  may be altered. In some embodiments, the pH level in the feed tank  224  is altered to levels suitable for methanogenic populations. In some embodiments, the pH level in the feed tank  224  is altered to a range of 6.2 to 7.8. 
         [0056]    The anaerobic digester feed tank  224  may receive material from other sources. As shown, the feed tank  224  may receive the pulp pressate, sorghum fines, sorghum silage coverage and/or any other organic wastes from an organic waste storage  228 . Further, the feed tank  224  may receive pulp pressate and/or other materials from the solid pathway  300 . In some embodiments, pulp pressate and/or other materials are transferred from a pulping pressate vessel  332  and/or pulping pressate bale press  340  in the solid pathway  300 . The storage  228 , pulping pressate vessel  332 , and/or pulping pressate bale press  340  may be connected to the feed tank  224  by piping or other suitable structures to pump or otherwise transfer contents therebetween. 
         [0057]    The anaerobic digester feed tank  224  may be connected to a heat exchanger  232 . In some embodiments, the anaerobic digester feed tank  224  is connected to the heat exchanger  232  by piping or other similar structure. Contents of the anaerobic digester feed tank  224  may be transferred to the heat exchanger  232  via the piping. In some embodiments, the contents are pumped therebetween. The heat exchanger may adjust the temperature of the contents to an optimal range for anaerobic digesters. 
         [0058]    The heat exchanger  232  may be connected to an anaerobic digestion tank  236 . In some embodiments, the heat exchanger  232  is connected to the anaerobic digestion tank  236  by piping or other suitable structure to transfer the contents therebetween. There may further be multiple anaerobic digestion tanks  236 . In some embodiments, there are two, three, four or more anaerobic digestion tanks  236 . After the heat exchanger  232 , the contents may flow to the one or more anaerobic digestion tanks  236 . 
         [0059]    The content or feed slurry transferred to the anaerobic digestion tank  236  may contain solids. In some embodiments, the content has a range of three to fifteen percent (3-15%) solids. In the anaerobic digestion tank  236 , methanogenic archaea may be allowed to function and process the organic materials further. In some embodiments, organic materials are processed into methane (CH 4 ). In some embodiments, organic materials are processed primarily into methane (CH 4 ). 
         [0060]    The anaerobic digestion tank  236  may be connected, by piping or other suitable structure for transferring gases, to a gas cleaning stage  240 . In some embodiments, anaerobic digestion in the anaerobic digestion tank  236  produces gases that are transferred to the gas cleaning stage  240  via the piping or other structure. In some embodiments, the anaerobic digestion tank  236  produces gases that include, but are not limited to, methane (CH 4 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and/or other minor gases. These gases may be captured at the surface of the tanks as they are produced. The gases may be transferred, such as pumped or otherwise piped, to the gas cleaning stage  240 . The unwanted gases may be removed at the gas cleaning stage  240 . In some embodiments, most of the unwanted gases may be removed at the gas cleaning stage  240 . Cleaned gas may then be used for other purposes. In some embodiments, the cleaned gas is blown into an electrical generation system and/or compressed for use as compressed natural gas (CNG) and/or liquefied natural gas (LNG). 
         [0061]    Feed material in the anaerobic digestion tank  236  may be retained for days, weeks, months, or longer, during which time gases may be collected as described above. In some embodiments, the feed material is retained in the anaerobic digestion tank  236  for fourteen (14) to twenty-eight (28) days. After the prescribed retention time, the contents, liquids, and suspended solids in the anaerobic digestion tank  236  may pass through a series of filters in order to maximize capture of nutrients and solids. 
         [0062]    The anaerobic digestion tank  236  may be connected, by piping or other suitable structure for transferring its contents, to a drum filter  244 , which may be a decker. In some embodiments, the contents are pumped to the drum filter  244 . The drum filter  244  may alter the concentration of solids. In some embodiments, the drum filter  244  may increase the concentration of solids. In some embodiments, the drum filter  244  may increase the concentration of solids to around four to six percent (4-6%) solids. 
         [0063]    The anaerobic digestion tank  236  may be connected, by piping or other suitable structure for transferring its contents, to a filter press  260 . Solids from the anaerobic digestion tank  236  may discharge into a feed chute to the filter press  260 . The filter press  260  may alter the concentration of solids. In some embodiments, the filter press  260  may increase the concentration of solids. In some embodiments, the filter press  260  may increase the concentration of solids to around four to six percent (4-6%) solids. The filter press  260  may compress the contents under very high pressure. In some embodiments, the filter press  260  is a membrane press. The filter press  260  may dewater the solids. In some embodiments, the solids are dewatered to around thirty to thirty-three percent (30-33%) solids. 
         [0064]    The filter press  260  may remove suspended solids and/or nutrient compounds. In some embodiments, filter press  260  may remove around eighty percent (80%) of the suspended solids and from thirty to fifty percent (30-50%) of the nutrient compounds. In some embodiments, the filter press  260  may remove thirty to fifty percent (30-50%) of the major nutrient compounds, including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and/or others. 
         [0065]    In some embodiments, the filter press  260  is connected to a molded fiber source  256 . The molded fiber source  256  may contain contents from a molded fiber operation. Excess filtrate from the molded fiber operation may be pumped to the filter press  260 . 
         [0066]    The filter press  260  may be connected to an aerated conditioning drum  268  by piping or other suitable structure. Solids and nutrients from the filter press  260  may be conveyed into the aerated conditioning drum  268 , which dries and conditions the finished product. The retention time of the solids and nutrients in the aerated conditioning drum  268  may be thirty (30) hours. Solids discharged from the aerated conditioning drum  268  may cure up to an additional three (3) days, or for a longer or shorter time period. The finished and cured product from the aerated conditioning drum  268  may then be shipped to the marketplace for use, resale, etc. 
         [0067]    In some embodiments, the aerated conditioning drum  268  is connected to a curing system  270 . Solids may be discharged from the aerated conditioning drum  268  to the curing system  270  to cure. The solids may cure in the curing system  270  up to three (3) days, or for a longer or shorter time period. The curing system may include a mechanical rotating drum, which may have flutes to help ensure flow. The drum may be elevated or sloped at between 0.5% and 2% grade depending on the size of the drum to ensure a 30-45 hour retention time. Other grades may be implemented. During the stay in the drum, air may be forced or otherwise put in at two or more separate intervals. This may maximize the allowance of oxygen for specific nitrifying bacteria to help expedite the maturing process of the fiber flowing through the drum. 
         [0068]    The filter press  260  may further be connected to and receive filtrate or other materials from components in the solid pathway  300 . In some embodiments, the filter press  260  is connected to and receives filtrate from a pulping filtrate tank  348  in the solid pathway  300 . In some embodiments, the filter press  260  is connected to the pulping filtrate tank  348  by piping or other suitable structure. 
         [0069]    The filter press  260  may further be connected to a zeolite filter  264 . In some embodiments, the filter press  260  is connected to the zeolite filter  264  by piping or other suitable structure for transferring filtrate therebetween. In some embodiments, filtrate from the filter press  260  is pumped to the zeolite filter  264 . 
         [0070]    The zeolite filter  264  may be a zeolite filter system. The zeolite filter  264  may remove suspended solids and/or nutrient compounds from the fluid stream. In some embodiments, the zeolite filter  264  may remove suspended solids and/or nutrient compounds from the fluid stream by particle capture. In some embodiments, the zeolite filter  264  may remove a high percentage of both suspended solids and nutrient compounds from the fluid stream by particle capture. The zeolite filter  264  may be cleaned to force a chemical release of captured nutrients. In some embodiments, the zeolite filter  264  may be cleaned utilizing a potassium chloride solution to force a chemical release of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and/or other nutrient compounds. 
         [0071]    Nutrients captured by the zeolite filter  264  may be classified separately from solid nutrients captured by the filter press  260 . The solid nutrients captured by the filter press  260  may be classified as organic fertilizer. Nutrient compounds discharged from the zeolite filter  264  may be classified as a commercial chemical fertilizer. In some embodiments, nutrient compounds discharged from the zeolite filter  264  may be classified as a commercial chemical fertilizer due to the use of potassium chloride or other chemical cleaning solution. 
         [0072]    Filtrate from the zeolite filter  264 , now largely stripped of nutrients and suspended solids, may be recycled for dilution in other components of the liquid and/or solid pathways  200 ,  300 . Excess filtrate may be pumped to a lagoon, where it may be stored for up to one hundred and eighty (180) days prior to being used for irrigation at agronomic application rates 
       Solids Pathway 
       [0073]    Referring to  FIG. 1B , schematically illustrated components of an embodiment of the solid pathway  300  of system  100  are shown. Juiced solids from the separation stage  150  may be transferred to the solid pathway  300 , which may be a pulping facility. In some embodiments, juiced solids leaving the fines removal screening  218  of the separation stage  150  and/or liquid pathway  200  are conveyed to the solid pathway  300 . 
         [0074]    The solid pathway  300  may be connected or otherwise coupled to the separation stage  150  and/or liquid pathway  200  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, solids from the separation stage  150  and/or liquid pathway  200  are transferred onto a conveyor and then drop off into a live bottom hopper  304 . 
         [0075]    The live bottom hopper  304  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a pre-treatment screw  308  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, solids from the live bottom hopper  304  may be conveyed to the pre-treatment screw  308 . In some embodiments, in the pre-treatment screw  308  the solids are combined with steam and strongly alkaline compounds. Such compounds may include, but are not limited to, Potash (KOH), caustic Soda (such as sodium hydroxide or NaOH), Lime (Ca(OH) 2 ), and/or combinations thereof 
         [0076]    The pre-treatment screw  308  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a chemical mixer  312  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, the pre-treatment screw  308  may discharge its contents to the chemical mixer  312 . In some embodiments, the chemical mixer  312  may blend a hydrogen peroxide solution into the material discharged from the pre-treatment screw  308 . 
         [0077]    The chemical mixer  312  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a reaction screw  316  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, the chemical mixer  312  discharges to the reaction screw  316 . In some embodiments, contents are retained in the reaction screw  316  for ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes. In some embodiments, contents are retained in the reaction screw  316  for shorter or longer time periods. 
         [0078]    The reaction screw  316  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a mix tank  320  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, the reaction screw  316  discharges contents to the mix tank  320 . In some embodiments, reacted solids are blended with dilution water in the mix tank  320 . In some embodiments, the dilution water may be clarified water from the zeolite filter  264 , recirculated pulp pressate, and/or combinations thereof 
         [0079]    The mix tank  320  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a deflaker  324  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, contents of the mix tank  320  are pumped to the deflaker  324 . In some embodiments, the deflaker  324  may break apart any larger pieces or lumps in the pulp. 
         [0080]    The deflaker  324  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a pulp dewatering press  328  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, from the deflaker  324 , the pulped solids flow to the pulp dewatering press  328 . In some embodiments, the pulp dewatering press  328  may thicken the suspended solids. In some embodiments, the pulp dewatering press  328  may thicken the suspended solids to around thirty-three to thirty-seven percent (33%-37%) by weight. In some embodiments, the pulp dewatering press  328  may thicken the suspended solids to more or less than thirty-three to thirty-seven percent (33%-37%) by weight. 
         [0081]    The pulp dewatering press  328  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a pulping pressate vessel  332 , a pulping pressate bale press  340 , and/or a tank  334  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, solids from the pulp dewatering press  328  discharge into a diversion chute. In some embodiments, the liquid squeezed from the pulp by the pulp dewatering press  328 , called pressate, drops into the pulping pressate vessel  332 , which may be a vessel, tank or standpipe. In some embodiments, the pulping pressate vessel  332  may be connected or otherwise coupled to the mix tank  320  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, from the pulping pressate vessel  332 , some or all of the pressate may be pumped to the mix tank  320  as dilution for the pulp discharged from the reaction screw  316 . In some embodiments, the pulping pressate vessel  332  may be connected or otherwise coupled to the anaerobic digester feed tank  224  in the liquid pathway  200  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, remaining pressate from the pulping pressate vessel  332  may be pumped to the anaerobic digester feed tank  224 . 
         [0082]    In some embodiments, one side of a diversion chute from the pulp dewatering press  328  leads to the pulping pressate bale press  340 . In some embodiments, the bale press  340  compresses and/or dewaters the pulp. In some embodiments, the bale press  340  compresses and/or dewaters the pulp to around 50% suspended solids. In some embodiments, the bale press  340  compresses and/or dewaters the pulp to more or less than 50% suspended solids. In some embodiments, the bale press  340  may be connected or otherwise coupled to the anaerobic digester feed tank  224  in the liquid pathway  200  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, liquid discharged from the bale press  340 , called pressate, is collected and pumped to the anaerobic digester feed tank  224 . 
         [0083]    In some embodiments, another side of the diversion chute from the pulp dewatering press  328  empties into the tank  334 , which may be a vessel, tank or chest. In some embodiments, in the tank  334 , pulp is diluted with clarified water from the zeolite filter  264 . In some embodiments, in the tank  334 , acid is added to adjust the pH of the pulp to a suitable value for molded fiber production. 
         [0084]    The tank  334  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a sidehill screen  344  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, contents of the tank  334  may be pumped to the sidehill screen  344 , which may be in a molded fiber area. In some embodiments, the sidehill screen  344  thickens the pulp to around four to five percent (4-5%) solids. In some embodiments, the sidehill screen  344  thickens the pulp to more or less than 4-5% solids. 
         [0085]    The sidehill screen  344  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a molding machines feed tank  352  and/or a pulping filtrate tank  348  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, thickened pulp from the sidehill screen  344  discharges into the molding machines feed tank  352 . In some embodiments, pulp in the molding machines feed tank  352  is diluted to around one percent (1%) solids. In some embodiments, pulp in the molding machines feed tank  352  is diluted to more or less than one percent (1%) solids. In some embodiments, filtrate from the sidehill screen  344  drops into a pulping filtrate tank  348 , which may be a tank or standpipe. The pulping filtrate tank  348  may be connected or otherwise coupled to the filter press  260  of the liquid pathway  200  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, contents of the pulping filtrate tank  348  are pumped to the filter press  260 , which may be in a water clarifying area of the liquid pathway  200 . 
         [0086]    The molding machines feed tank  352  may be connected or otherwise coupled to one or more molding machine vats  356  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, contents of the molding machines feed tank  352  are pumped to the molding machine vats  356 . In some embodiments, screen mesh molds rotate through the molding machine vats  356 . In some embodiments, the screen mesh molds collect a quantity of pulp slurry which may be drained by a combination of gravity and applied vacuum. 
         [0087]    The molding machine vats  356  may be connected or otherwise coupled to a heated drying system  360  by conveyor, piping, or other suitable structure for transferring contents therebetween. In some embodiments, after enough water has been removed in the molding machine vats  356 , the formed pulp passes into the heated drying system  360 . In some embodiments, in the heated drying system  360 , water is evaporated from the formed pulp. In some embodiments, in the heated drying system  360 , water is evaporated from the formed pulp to a final moisture content of five to ten percent (5%-10%). In some embodiments, in the heated drying system  360 , water is evaporated from the formed pulp to a final moisture content of more or less than five to ten percent (5%-10%). 
         [0088]    In some embodiments, dried pulp in the desired form is discharged from the heated drying system  360 . Molded fiber product may be trimmed to remove excess pulp from the form, which may be stacked and packaged for shipping. 
         [0089]      FIG. 2A  is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an overview process  400  for pulping agricultural products. Details of the overview process  400  are further discussed below with reference to other figures, for example,  FIGS. 2B-2E . 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIG. 2A , the process  400  may include step  500  wherein agricultural crops are ensiled or put into ensilage. In some embodiments, step  500  may include the separation stage  150 , or portions thereof. In some embodiments, step  500  includes use of the ensilage facility  204 . 
         [0091]    The process  400  may further include step  600  wherein liquids and solids are separated. In some embodiments, step  600  may include the separation stage  150 , or portions thereof. In some embodiments, step  600  may include use of the roll presses  208  and/or  216  as well as the fine separation  210 , the rewetting stage  212  and/or the fines removal screening  218 . 
         [0092]    The process  400  may also include step  700  wherein liquids are processed in a liquid pathway. In some embodiments, step  700  may include the liquid pathway  200 . In some embodiments, step  700  may include components of the liquid pathway  200  discussed herein, for example with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         [0093]    The process  400  may also include step  900  wherein solids are processed in a solid pathway. In some embodiments, step  900  may include the solid pathway  300 . In some embodiments, step  900  may include components of the solid pathway  300  discussed herein, for example with respect to  FIG. 1A-1B . In some embodiments, solids separated in step  600  bypass step  700  and are processed in step  900  in the solid pathway. 
         [0094]      FIG. 2B  is a flowchart of part of an embodiment of a process  500  for ensilage of agricultural crops. The process  500  may be used in the overview process  400  discussed, for example, with respect to  FIG. 2A . 
         [0095]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , the process  500  may include step  510  wherein agricultural crops are harvested. In some embodiments, harvest equipment is utilized for harvesting crops. This may be the same or similar equipment that is use for ensilage of animal feeds. In some embodiments, when the time comes to harvest a crop prior to storage, the equipment is brought in to the land where the agricultural crop has matured. This equipment may cut the crop starting at roughly, but not limited to, three (3) inches from the ground surface and chop and put it into trucks for transport to the ensilage location. The chopping size may be dictated by several factors. In some embodiments, the chopping size can range from mere millimeters in size to a couple inches in size, but it is not limited to these sizes. 
         [0096]    The process  500  may further include step  520  wherein agricultural crops are placed into ensilage. In some embodiments, step  520  allows for the storage of both the solid and liquid fractions of the agricultural crop. Step  520  may allow, for example, for splitting the liquid and solid fractions. In some embodiments, in step  520  the liquid fraction may be used to produce energy. In some embodiment, in step  520  the solid fraction may be utilized for the production of pulp and fiber molded products. 
         [0097]    Step  520  may be performed in a number of ways. In some embodiments, step  520  is performed with piles, silos, tubes, and/or pits, such as ground pits. In some embodiments, step  520  is done in anaerobic, i.e. oxygen-free, or low oxygen, environmental conditions. Anaerobic conditions may be created which prevent typical decomposition from occurring, either through biological means or through oxygen degradation. 
         [0098]    In some embodiments, the ensilage of crops in step  520  may be used for pulping and energy production. In some embodiments, step  520  is used for the purpose of pulping of grass crops. In some embodiments, step  520  is used to store grass crops long term for the purpose of pulping production. In some embodiments, step  520  is used with wet agricultural crops to more easily process into pulp and more efficiently then dry agricultural crops, while permitting energy production from the liquid fraction. In some embodiments, step  520  is used to enables long term storage without significant biological decay of organic compounds to exposure to oxygen, while increasing sugar availability for purpose of energy production. In some embodiments, step  520  enables the long term storage without the risk of fire, due to high moisture content as compared to typical dry storage techniques. In some embodiments, step  520  enables the long term storage of grass crops without exposure to molds and fungi that typically plague dry storage techniques. In some embodiments, step  520  is a process that minimizes oxygen exposure to the agricultural crops for long term storage thus retarding and limiting oxidation or aerobic biological decomposition. 
         [0099]    In some embodiments, a wet storage program via ensilage is used in step  520 . This may prevent the accumulation of inorganics while minimizing the amount of decomposition that occurs and also minimizing the risk of fire or molds. Furthermore, ensilage of agricultural crops may allow for a one-step harvesting process and avoid risks that typically accompany dry harvest techniques. 
         [0100]    The process  500  may also include step  530  wherein the crops are compacted. In some embodiments, in step  530  the crops are compacted to restrict oxygen influence and prevent oxygen flow from entering the pile, tube, silo, pit, or other ensilage means or facilities. This may allow for storage for days, months, or even years, allowing product to be used as needed. This permits the pulping facility to run year round, without the hindrance of seasonal rushes similar to those confronting the sugar industry or any other agricultural based industry that finds itself bound by a particular harvest window. Instead, the ability to pull regularly as needed, throughout the year, allows stability economically and provides increased operational viability, as opposed to the 2-3 month operating window that is typically needed. 
         [0101]      FIG. 2C  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process  600  for separating solids and liquids in agricultural crops. The process  600  may be used in the overview process  400  discussed, for example, with respect to  FIG. 2A . In some embodiments, the separation of liquid from agricultural crops is done using mechanical or physical means. Further, process  600  may be used with components in the separation stage  150  discussed, for example, with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         [0102]    The process  600  may include step  610  wherein silage is conveyed from an ensilage location to a mechanism for removing liquids. In some embodiments, the silage is conveyed from the ensilage facility  204  to the roll press  208 . This may be done, for example, by conveyor belt, by hauling, or other ordinary conveyance methods. In some embodiments, wet or moist material is extracted from storage. In some embodiments, wet or moist silage is conveyed from the ensilage facility  204  to the roll press  208 . 
         [0103]    The process  600  may further include step  620  wherein liquids are extracted. In some embodiments, liquids are extracted from the silage. In some embodiments, the agricultural crop is placed in a juicing or pressing apparatus to extract or reduce the moisture that is within the agricultural crop materials. The liquids extracted in step  620  may then be sent to the liquid stream pathway, as shown in step  660  and discussed in further detail below. 
         [0104]    The process  600  may also include step  630  wherein solids are screened. For agricultural products, screening is conventionally not performed, as the product is usually grown and maintained to levels desired by the pulp industry. However, screening has been found to have many benefits in the disclosed pulping process. Upon leaving the first juicing press, such as the roll press  208 , the agricultural crop may be immediately screened utilizing a variety of screening technologies. In some embodiments, the agricultural crop may be screened using trammel screens, shaker screens, vibrating screens, and/or other means well known in the art. Different crop varieties may require different screening technologies based on the individual characteristics of each agricultural crop. In some embodiments, the purpose is to remove all fines that are less than three (3) millimeters (mm) in diameter. In some embodiments, solids are screened by using a fine mesh to filter out the solids. In some embodiments, fines are removed. Removal of fines may increase the overall fiber length of the pulp product and/or increase the overall beneficial characteristics of the pulp product. 
         [0105]    The process  600  may further include step  640  wherein screened solids are rewetted. In some embodiments, the solids remaining after step  630  are placed in warm to hot water or steam and allowed to saturate. The time may vary from one plant material to another, which time may be determined by microscopic view of the plant material both before and after various temperatures and time exposures to cell burst processes. 
         [0106]    Step  640  may include a cell burst process. Plant cells do not typically explode in water because they have cell walls. Their tendency to uptake water is balanced by the elastic wall pushing back on the cell, resulting in a turgid (rigid) cell rather than a lysed (exploded) cell. Turgid cells allow plants to stand upright and better engage in photosynthesis. Exposure under higher temperatures above ambient conditions weakens the elasticity of the cell wall. As the cell wall is raised in temperature the molecules radiate further apart, while the inside membrane remains at the same density, and the resulting difference creates a cell wall burst. 
         [0107]    In some embodiments, a cell burst is performed using low to high temperature. In some embodiments, cell burst breaks open the cell of the plant cell. In some embodiments, cell burst exposes the nutrients held within the cell walls, such as the nucleus and membranes. In some embodiments, cell burst makes the pulping process more efficient and easier to work with by breaking down long cellulosic materials, which make up the cell wall. In some embodiments, juicing following the cell burst allows for high extraction of nutrients. In some embodiments, organic materials extracted following the cell burst are primarily volatile solids which carry no value to pulping, but carry high value for anaerobic digestion and energy production 
         [0108]    In some embodiments, the solids are exposed to warm or hot water to explode the cellular walls in the plant tissue. The temperature may be as low as eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85° F.) to begin the cell wall explosion in plant tissue. In some embodiments, the cell burst process is done at roughly one hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit (110° F.). The cell burst process at roughly one hundred and ten degrees Fahrenheit (110° F.) may be instantaneous. In some embodiments, the cell burst allows for maximum nutrient and inorganic removal from plant tissue cells. In some embodiments, cell Burst plant tissue weakens the lignin and cellulose structures in preparation for pulp production. In some embodiments, cell burst is performed while plant tissue is maintained wet or moist. In some embodiments, plant tissue following cell explosion or cell burst is easier drained of moisture when the cell wall is broken. In some embodiments, following cell burst more volatile and suspended solids are removed increasing potential energy value of the liquid stream that is extracted from the plant tissue. In some embodiments, cell burst can occur at lower temperatures (e.g. eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85° F.) or lower) but performs faster at higher temperatures. In some embodiments, when plant tissue is dried before cell burst, it is more difficult to convert to pulp. In some embodiments, minimal chemical injection is required to convert cell burst tissues to pulp as compared to those that are not cell burst. 
         [0109]    The process  600  may also include step  650  wherein liquids are extracted from the screened solids. In some embodiments, the screened solids are again placed through a juicing or pressing apparatus which once again removes the available nutrients, which at this point also includes those nutrients and soluble solids that were contained within the cell itself. In some embodiments, upon leaving the cellular burst bath, moisture is ranging from sixty to ninety percent (60% to 90%) and the solids are again pressed or juiced to remove this new moisture, along with all nutrients and loose minerals and highly volatile solids within the plant cell walls, such as the now exposed nucleus and membranes. In some embodiments, the second pass extraction or juicing brings the solids down to less than fifty-five percent (55%) moisture and makes them highly suitable for pulping. 
         [0110]    The process  600  may also include step  660  wherein the liquids are sent to a liquid stream pathway. These may be liquids remaining from step  650  after liquids are extracted from the screened solids. These may also be liquids extracted in step  620 . In some embodiments, the liquid stream pathway is the liquid pathway  200 . 
         [0111]    The process  600  may also include step  670  wherein the solids are sent to a pulping facility. These may be solids remaining after step  650  wherein the liquids are extracted. In some embodiments, solids are sent to the solid pathway  300 . 
         [0112]      FIG. 2D  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process  700  for processing liquids. The process  700  may be done primarily using components from the liquid pathway  200  and/or separation stage  150 , which components are discussed, for example, with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Components from the solid pathway  300  may also be utilized in the process  700 . Various embodiments of steps that may be included in the process  700  will now be discussed. However, it is understood that other details and steps related to process  700  are further discussed herein, for example with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         [0113]    The process  700  may include step  710  wherein liquids are provided in one or more hydrolysis tanks. In some embodiments, the liquids are pumped from one or more roll presses into the hydrolysis tanks. For instance, liquids from the roll press  208  and/or the roll press  216  may be pumped to the hydrolysis tank  220 . 
         [0114]    The process  700  may further include step  713  wherein organic material is broken down. In some embodiments, organic material is broken down via bacterial consumption, with methanogenic organisms, and/or with methanogenic archaea into CH 4 . Step  713  may further include adjusting the pH level of the contents of the hydrolysis tanks. In some embodiments, the pH level is raised in step  713 . Step  713  may further include preparation of the pressate for anaerobic digestion. 
         [0115]    The process  700  may further include step  716  wherein pressate is transferred from one or more hydrolysis tanks to one or more anaerobic digester feed tanks. In some embodiments, the pressate is pumped. For instance, the pressate may be pumped from the hydrolysis tank  220  to the anaerobic digester feed tank  224 . Step  716  may further include combining the pressate with other pressate or materials and/or adjusting the pH level in the feed tank  224 . 
         [0116]    The process  700  may further include step  719  wherein other waste and/or liquids are transferred to a feed tank. In some embodiments, organic waste is pumped from the organic waste storage  228  to the feed tank  224 . In some embodiments, liquids from the solid pathway  300  are transferred to the feed tank  224 . For example, liquids from the pulping pressate vessel  332  and/or pulping pressate bale press  340  may be transferred to the feed tank  224 . 
         [0117]    The process  700  may further include step  722  wherein contents of a feed tank are transferred to a heat exchanger. In some embodiments, contents of the feed tank  224  are pumped to the heat exchanger  232 . 
         [0118]    The process  700  may further include step  725  wherein the temperature of contents in the heat exchanger is adjusted. 
         [0119]    The process  700  may further include step  728  wherein contents of a heat exchanger are transferred to one or more anaerobic digestion tanks. In some embodiments, the contents flow from the heat exchanger  232  to the one or more anaerobic digestion tanks  236 . 
         [0120]    The process  700  may further include step  731  wherein contents of an anaerobic digestion tank or tanks are processed. In some embodiments, methanogenic archaea are allowed to function and process the organic materials, such as solids, into methane. In some embodiments, contents are retained in the anaerobic digestion tank for a period of time, including but not limited to two (2) to four (4) weeks. 
         [0121]    The process  700  may further include step  734  wherein gases from an anaerobic digestion tank or tanks are transferred to a gas cleaning stage. In some embodiments, gases from the anaerobic digestion tank  236  are piped to the gas cleaning stage  240  from the surface of the digestion tank  236 . Step  734  may further include removing the gases from the gas cleaning stage and using them for other purposes, such as blowing them into an electrical generation system and/or compressing them for use as compressed natural gas (CNG) and/or liquefied natural gas (LNG). 
         [0122]    The process  700  may further include step  743  wherein contents of an anaerobic digestion tank are transferred to a filter press. In some embodiments, solids from the anaerobic digestion tank  236  may discharge into a feed chute to the filter press  260 . In some embodiments, the concentration of solids is altered. In some embodiments, the concentration of solids may be increased to around four to six percent (4-6%) solids. 
         [0123]    The process  700  may further include step  746  wherein solids are dewatered. In some embodiments, the solids are dewatered to around thirty to thirty-three percent (30-33%) solids. 
         [0124]    The process  700  may further include step  758  wherein molded fiber is provided to a filter press. In some embodiments, molded fiber from the molded fiber source  256  is transferred to the filter press  260 . In some embodiments, excess filtrate from a molded fiber operation may be pumped to the filter press  260 . In some embodiments, excess filtrate is pumped to the filter press  260  from the molded fiber source  256 . 
         [0125]    The process  700  may further include step  764  wherein pulping filtrate may be transferred to a filter press. In some embodiments, filtrate is pumped to the filter press  260  from the pulping filtrate tank  348  in the solid pathway  300 . 
         [0126]    The process  700  may further include step  767  wherein suspended solids and/or nutrient compounds are removed. In some embodiments, suspended solids and/or nutrients are removed in a filter press, such as the filter press  260 . In some embodiments, around eighty percent (80%) of the suspended solids are removed by the filter press  260 . In some embodiments, more or less than eighty percent (80%) of the suspended solids are removed by the filter press  260 . In some embodiments, from thirty to fifty percent (30-50%) of the nutrient compounds are removed by the filter press  260 . In some embodiments, the filter press  260  may remove thirty to fifty percent (30-50%) of the major nutrient compounds, including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and/or others. In some embodiments, more or less than thirty to fifty percent (30-50%) of the nutrient compounds are removed by the filter press  260 . 
         [0127]    The process  700  may further include step  770  wherein solids and/or nutrients are transferred to an aerated conditioning drum. In some embodiments, solids and nutrients from the filter press  260  may be conveyed into the aerated conditioning drum  268 . 
         [0128]    The process  700  may further include step  772  wherein the finished product is dried and/or conditioned. In some embodiments, solids and nutrients are retained in an aerated conditioning drum for drying, conditioning, etc. In some embodiments, solids and nutrients are retained in the aerated conditioning drum for thirty (30) hours. In some embodiments, solids and nutrients are retained in the aerated conditioning drum for longer or shorter than thirty (30) hours. Step  772  may further include discharge of solids from the aerated conditioning drum  268  to cure up to an additional three (3) days, or for a longer or shorter time period. The solids may be discharged to the curing system  270 . 
         [0129]    The process  700  may further include step  773  wherein filtrate from a filter press is provided to a zeolite filter. In some embodiments, filtrate from the filter press  260  is pumped to the zeolite filter  264 . 
         [0130]    The process  700  may further include step  776  wherein suspended solids and/or nutrients are removed in a zeolite filter. In some embodiments, the zeolite filter  264  may remove various amounts of suspended solids and/or nutrient compounds from the fluid stream by particle capture. 
         [0131]    The process  700  may further include step  779  wherein a zeolite filter is cleaned. In some embodiments, the zeolite filter  264  may be cleaned to force a chemical release of captured nutrients. In some embodiments, the zeolite filter  264  may be cleaned utilizing a potassium chloride solution to force a chemical release of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and/or other nutrient compounds. 
         [0132]    The process  700  may further include step  782  wherein solids are removed from a zeolite filter or filter press for use as or in organic and/or chemical fertilizer. In some embodiments, solids are discharged from the zeolite filter  264  and/or the filter press  260 . 
         [0133]    The process  700  may further include step  785  wherein liquids are removed for dilution, irrigation, and/or other purposes. In some embodiments, filtrate from the zeolite filter  264  may be recycled for dilution in other components of the liquid and/or solid pathways  200 ,  300 . In some embodiments, excess filtrate may be pumped to a lagoon. In some embodiments, excess filtrate is removed and stored for up to one hundred and eighty (180) days prior to being used for other purposes, such as irrigation at agronomic application rates, etc. 
         [0134]      FIGS. 2E and 2F  are flowcharts of part of the process  900  of  FIG. 2A  showing processes for processing solids. The process  900  may be done using components from the solid pathway  300  and/or separation stage  150 , which components are discussed, for example, with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Various embodiments of steps that may be included in the process  900  will now be discussed. However, it is understood that other details and steps related to process  900  are further discussed herein, for example with respect to  FIGS. 1A-1B . 
         [0135]    Referring to  FIG. 2E , an embodiment of the process  900  may include step  910  wherein solids are provided to a live bottom conveyor. In some embodiments, solids are loaded from a roll press in other stages or pathways to the live bottom conveyor. For example, solids may be loaded from the roll press  216 , in the separation stage  150  and/or in the liquid pathway  200 , to the live bottom hopper  304 . 
         [0136]    The process  900  may further include step  913  wherein solids are transferred to a pre-treatment screw. In some embodiments, solids from the live bottom hopper  304  may be conveyed to the pre-treatment screw  308 . 
         [0137]    The process  900  may further include step  916  wherein solids in the pre-treatment screw are mixed or otherwise combined with steam and strongly alkaline compounds. In some embodiments, solids in the pre-treatment screw may be combined with Potash (KOH), caustic Soda (NaOH), Lime (Ca(OH) 2 ), combinations thereof, and/or other compounds. In some embodiments, these or other compounds are combined with heat. In some embodiments, strongly alkaline inorganic bases are added along with heat to start hydrolyzing the complex organic compounds in agricultural crop feedstock. In some embodiments, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or sodium hydroxide are added. 
         [0138]    The process  900  may further include step  922  wherein hydrogen peroxide is mixed into the solids. In some embodiments, hydrogen peroxide is blended into hot, alkalized feedstock to break down organic binders and release the fibrous cellulose that constitutes pulp. Steps  916  and/or  922  may be done, for example, in the chemical mixer  312 . In some embodiments, the pre-treatment screw  308  may discharge its contents to the chemical mixer  312 . 
         [0139]    The process  900  may further include step  928  wherein contents are reacted in a reaction screw. In some embodiments, the chemical mixer  312  discharges contents to the reaction screw  316 . In some embodiments, the solids are converted into pulp in the reaction screw  316 . In some embodiments, contents are retained and reacted in the reaction screw  316  for ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes. In some embodiments, contents are retained and reacted in the reaction screw  316  for shorter or longer time periods. 
         [0140]    The process  900  may further include step  931  wherein contents of a reaction screw are transferred to a mix tank. In some embodiments, the reaction screw  316  discharges the pulp contents to the mix tank  320 . In some embodiments, the reacted solids are blended with dilution water in the mix tank  320 . In some embodiments, the dilution water may be clarified water from the zeolite filter  264 , recirculated pulp pressate, combinations thereof, and/or other liquids or liquid sources. 
         [0141]    The process  900  may further include step  937  wherein contents of a mix tank are transferred to a deflaker. In some embodiments, contents of the mix tank  320  are pumped to the deflaker  324 . 
         [0142]    The process  900  may further include step  940  wherein large pieces are broken down in a deflaker. In some embodiments, the deflaker  324  may break apart any larger pieces or lumps in the pulp. 
         [0143]    The process  900  may further include step  946  wherein suspended solids are thickened. In some embodiments, pulped solids from the deflaker  324  flow to the pulp dewatering press  328 . In some embodiments, the pulp dewatering press  328  may thicken the suspended solids. In some embodiments, the pulp dewatering press  328  may thicken the suspended solids to more, less or around thirty-three to thirty-seven percent (33%-37%) by weight. 
         [0144]    The process  900  may further include step  949  wherein the dewatering pressate is drained to a pressate tank. The dashed lines between step  946  and step  949  indicate that this may be a side process. The solid lines between other steps indicate those steps are part of a main process. These indications are for clarity only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, liquid squeezed from the pulp by the pulp dewatering press  328  drops into the pulping pressate vessel  332 . 
         [0145]    The process  900  may further include step  955  wherein thick pulp is discharged. Most of the thick pulp may be discharged to a bale press. In some embodiments, pulp from the pulp dewatering press  328  is lead through one side of a diversion chute to the pulping pressate bale press  340 . In some embodiments, pressate is transferred from a pulping pressate vessel to a mix tank and/or an anaerobic digester feed tank. In some embodiments, some or all of the pressate from the pulping pressate vessel  332  may be pumped to the mix tank  320  as dilution for the pulp discharged from the reaction screw  316 . In some embodiments, pressate from the pulping pressate vessel  332  may be pumped to the anaerobic digester feed tank  224  in the liquid pathway  200 . 
         [0146]    The process  900  may further include step  958  wherein pulp is compressed in a bale press for shipping. In some embodiments, the bale press  340  compresses and/or dewaters the pulp to more than, less than or around 50% suspended solids. 
         [0147]    The process  900  may further include step  964  wherein bale pressate is pumped to a pressate tank. In some embodiments, pulp is emptied into the tank  334  through a side of a diversion chute from the pulp dewatering press  328 . 
         [0148]    The process  900  may further include step  965  wherein pressate is pumped or otherwise transferred to a hydrolysis tank. 
         [0149]    The process  900  may further include step  967  wherein pulp sidestream is conveyed to a sidehill feed tank. In some embodiments, the pulp is diluted and/or the pH is adjusted. In some embodiments, pulp is diluted in the tank  334  with clarified water from the zeolite filter  264  of the liquid pathway  200 . In some embodiments, acid is added to the tank  334  to adjust the pH of the pulp to a suitable value for molded fiber production. 
         [0150]    The process  900  may further include step  970  wherein the diluted pulp slurry is transferred to a sidehill screen. In some embodiments, contents of the tank  334  may be pumped to the sidehill screen  344 . 
         [0151]    The process  900  may further include step  972  wherein pulp is thickened and filtered. In some embodiments, pulp is thickened and filtered in a sidehill screen. In some embodiments, the sidehill screen  344  thickens the pulp to more than, less than or around four to five percent (4-5%) solids. 
         [0152]    The process  900  may further include step  974  wherein the sidehill screen filtrate is drained from a sidehill screen to a filtrate tank. In some embodiments, filtrate from the sidehill screen  344  drops into the pulping filtrate tank  348 . 
         [0153]    The process  900  may further include step  976  wherein filtrate in a pulping filtrate tank is transferred to a filter press. In some embodiments, contents of the pulping filtrate tank  348  are pumped to the filter press  260 . In some embodiments, the filter press  260  is in a water clarifying area of the liquid pathway  200 . 
         [0154]    The process  900  may further include step  978  wherein screened pulp is pumped or otherwise transferred to a molded fiber process. In some embodiments, thickened pulp from the sidehill screen  344  discharges into the molding machines feed tank  352 . 
         [0155]    The process  900  discussed with respect to  FIG. 2E  may include further steps. Some of those steps are discussed with respect to  FIG. 2F . 
         [0156]    Referring now to  FIG. 2F , the process  900  may further include step  980  wherein pulp is diluted in a molding machines feed tank. In some embodiments, pulp in the molding machines feed tank  352  is diluted to more than, less than or around one percent (1%) solids. 
         [0157]    The process  900  may further include step  982  wherein pulp slurry is pumped to a molding machine. In some embodiments, the contents of a molding machines feed tank are transferred to one or more molding machine vats. In some embodiments, contents of the molding machines feed tank  352  are pumped to the molding machine vats  356 . 
         [0158]    The process  900  may further include step  984  wherein slurry is formed in the molding machine. In some embodiments, screen mesh molds in the molding machine vats  356  collect the pulp slurry. In some embodiments, the pulp slurry may be drained by gravity, applied vacuum, and/or combinations thereof 
         [0159]    The process  900  may further include step  990  where the filtrate is pumped to a storage tank. Step  990  may also follow step  974  where the sidehill screen filtrate is drained to the filtrate tank. Both sources may supply the filtrate that is pumped to the storage tank. 
         [0160]    The process  900  may further include step  986  wherein the pulp is dry pressed. In some embodiments, formed pulp passes from the molding machine vats  356  into the heated drying system  360 . In some embodiments, formed pulp passes into the heated drying system  360  after enough water has been removed in the molding machine vats  356 . In some embodiments, water is evaporated in the heated drying system  360  from the formed pulp. In some embodiments water is evaporated in the heated drying system  360  from the formed pulp to a final moisture content of more than, less than or around five to ten percent (5%-10%). In some embodiments, dried pulp in the desired form is removed, grabbed, taken or otherwise discharged from the heated drying system  360 . 
         [0161]    The process  900  may further include step  992  wherein the pulp product is packaged and shipped. In some embodiments, molded fiber product may be trimmed to remove excess pulp from the form, which may be stacked and packaged for shipping. 
         [0162]    Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and apparent modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Further, while certain processes or methods have been discussed, the order of discussion of such steps or features of those processes and methods should not be read as limiting the order of performing the steps or features of the methods or processes. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.