Patent ID: 8057635

Claim:
A biomass collection and refining system for delivering ligno-cellulosic feedstock to a biomass refining plant for conversion into a fuel comprising: a) a plurality of collection points, each including a system for introducing chopped ligno-cellulosic feedstock into a circulating water stream to form a water-ligno-cellulosic feedstock slurry; b) a conduit loop, connected to the plurality of collection points, for carrying the circulating water stream, wherein the plurality of collection points are arranged in series along the conduit loop; c) a water removal system connected to the conduit loop for: i. receiving from the conduit loop the water-ligno-cellulosic feedstock slurry; ii. separating the ligno-cellulosic feedstock in the water-lignocellulosic feedstock slurry from the water; iii. delivering the ligno-cellulosic feedstock to a biomass refining plant; and iv. reintroducing separated water into the conduit loop; and d) a biomass refining plant for receiving the ligno-cellulosic feedstock from the water removal system and converting the ligno-cellulosic feedstock into a fuel.