Patent Application: US-201213657928-A

Abstract:
the efficient production of ethanol from low - cost biomass has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the united states &# 39 ; dependence on foreign oil . for example , to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities , mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided . also provided are small - scale ethanol production facilities . for example , instead of transporting biomass to the production facility , the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass . the ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land , water , or air . production of other products , such as hydrocarbons , natural gas , hydrogen gas , plastics , polymers , and proteins , can also be made by the methods and facilities . any product described herein can be made in finished form or un - finished form and moved , e . g ., to a fixed facility , e . g ., fixed production facility .

Description:
described herein are mobile and / or small - scale ( e . g ., less than 1 - 5 million gallons per year ) systems for producing energy ( e . g ., ethanol , hydrocarbons , gasoline , natural gas , methane , biodiesel , and hydrogen gas ), electricity , plastics , polymers , nutrients ( human and animal ), proteins , biomolecules , pharmaceuticals ( human and veterinary ; e . g ., drugs and medicines ), fertilizer , or other products including processes , facilities , and components of the facility for producing the desired product , from biomass . the systems eliminate or at least reduce the need for transporting the starting material biomass , which can be , e . g ., of a low bulk density , to a stationary large - scale production facility . it also may reduce the need to transport the desired product produced by the mobile facility a long distance to its end user or a distribution facility . the system for producing the desired product allows for the processing of biomass that ordinarily would not be economically suitable for conversion to energy ( e . g ., ethanol , hydrocarbons , gasoline , natural gas , methane , biodiesel , and hydrogen gas ), electricity , plastics , polymers , nutrients ( human and animal ), proteins , biomolecules , pharmaceuticals ( human and veterinary ; e . g ., drugs and medicines ), fertilizer , or other products due to transportation , processing , or other costs . the system makes the production of energy ( e . g ., ethanol , hydrocarbons , gasoline , natural gas , methane , biodiesel , and hydrogen gas ), electricity , plastics , polymers , nutrients ( human and animal ), proteins , biomolecules , pharmaceuticals ( human and veterinary ; e . g ., drugs and medicines ), fertilizer , or other products more economical by reducing the costs , particularly the transportation costs , of producing the desired product . production facilities that are configured in such a way that it or its various components can be easily transported by land , sea , air , or a combination thereof . in certain embodiments , the materials and equipment need to produce desired product from biomass are compactly organized so that it or its components can be transported by a car , truck , tractor trailer , railroad , boat , barge , airplane , helicopter , or combination thereof . in certain embodiments , the facility or its components may be limited in size depending on how the facility or its components are transported . for example , a facility or component being transported by tractor trailer will need to fit on the bed of a truck or trailer for transport . referring to fig1 , methods of producing products , such as ethanol or n - butanol , from biomass , e . g ., cellulosic or lignocellulosic material , include producing a first product at a first site with a system that includes a reactor or converter , e . g ., a fermenter . the system is transported to a second site , and then a second product is produced from biomass at the second site with the system . any number of sites may be utilized . for example , the number of sites can be 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , or more , e . g ., 10 , 20 , 30 , 50 , 100 or more , e . g ., 1000 . for example , a site may form part of a complex or a campus , and portions of the complex or campus may be joined by various manufacturing infrastructure , such as rail . spacing between a first site and a second site can be relatively small or relatively large . for example , the sites can be physically beside each other . for example , the system can be carried by a moving train and producing ethanol while moving . in other embodiments , the first site and second site are spaced apart by a distance of about 10 miles or more , e . g ., about 25 miles or more , about 35 or more , about 65 miles or more , about 85 miles or more , about 100 or more , about 200 miles or more , about 300 or more , or even about 500 miles or more . in some embodiments , the fermentor , reactor or converter can hold between about 1 , 000 gallons and about 100 , 000 gallons of material , e . g ., between about 2 , 500 gallons and about 100 , 000 gallons , or between about 5 , 000 gallons and about 75 , 000 gallons . in certain embodiments , the mobile systems or one or more of its components for producing the desired product is transported by land . when the mobile facility or its components is transported by roads , it preferably complies with all applicable laws governing the roads of that country , state , province , county , or city . in the u . s ., facilities transported by land using highways and roads may comply with all federal , state , and local laws and regulations . in certain embodiments , the mobile facility being transported by a tractor trailer is no larger than 8 feet 6 inches wide and no longer than 57 feet in length . in certain embodiments , the facility is no wider than 8 feet 6 inches and no longer than 53 feet . in certain embodiments , the facility is no wider than 8 feet 6 inches and no longer than 48 feet . in certain embodiments , the facility is no wider than 8 feet 6 inches and no longer than 20 - 24 feet in length . the height of the vehicle may vary depending on the obstacles on the road the facility is being transported via . however , typically the facility is less than 15 feet in height . in certain embodiments , it is less than 14 feet in height . in certain embodiments , the facility is transported by a double tractor trailer in which case the total length for the combination is no greater than 75 feet . in certain embodiments , the total length of the double is no greater than 65 feet . in certain embodiments , the gross combination weight of the vehicle with the mobile facility or one or more of its component ( s ) is no greater than 80 , 000 pounds . in certain embodiments , the facility or a component thereof fits into a standard container used for shipping by tractor trailer . as would be appreciated by one of skill in this art , the components of the facility may be transported by more than one land vehicle or may be transported by a land vehicle and a combination of land , water , and air vehicles . in certain embodiments , components that are not suitable for transport by water or air are transported by land . in certain embodiments , components for which water and / or air transportation are not economical are transported by land . however , it is appreciated that in certain embodiments land transportation of the facility or its components is not feasible or is not possible ( e . g ., due to lack of passable roads ). in certain embodiments , the mobile production facility or some of its components are small enough to be transported by a car , sport utility vehicle ( suv ), or pickup truck . in certain embodiments , the facility or its components are transported on a trailer pulled by a car , suv , or pickup truck . the mobile facility or its various components can also transportable by railroad . in certain embodiments , the facility to be transported by rail is no wider than 14 feet . in other embodiments , the facility is no wider than 13 feet 6 inches . in still other embodiments , the facility is no wider than 13 feet . in certain embodiments , the facility is no wider than 12 feet 6 inches . the width clearance of the facility including its outer container will depend on the railways being used to transport the facility . in certain embodiments , the minimum width of 12 feet 6 inches or 13 feet is used to accommodate all railways the facility could possibly travel along . the length of the facility is no longer than 60 feet . in embodiments , the length of the facility is less than 60 feet . in certain embodiments , the length is approximately 58 feet . in other embodiments , the length is approximately 59 feet , approximately 57 feet , or approximately 56 feet . the height of the facility is typically less than 23 feet . in certain embodiments , the height is less than 22 feet . in other embodiments , the height is less than 21 feet . in certain embodiments , the height is less than 20 feet . in certain embodiments , the facility or a component thereof fits into a standard container used for shipping by railroad . in yet other embodiments , the height is less than 19 feet . the weight of the facility typically does not exceed 200 , 000 pounds . in certain embodiments , when a larger mobile production facility is needed , the facility is transported using more than one railroad car where each railroad car includes a component . these components are then assembled into an operational facility at the desired site . in certain embodiments , the facility is assembled on a rail road track , set of tracks , or spur . in certain embodiments , the facility comprises 1 - 10 railroad cars . in certain embodiments , the facility comprises 1 - 5 railroad cars . in certain embodiments , each step or a combination of steps of the process of producing ethanol is performed in a separate car . in certain embodiments , the equipment for performing one or more steps is combined into one car . various components of the facility may also be brought to the site for assembly by other land transportation , air transportation , or water transportation . any combination of transporting modes can be utilized . for example , the systems can be transported by land , and then by water , or by air and then by land . for example , the products such as ethanol can be produced during transportation or after transportation . when the facility or its components are transported by water , the facility is optionally within the allowed limits of the vessel transporting the facility or component ( s ). these limits include length , width , height , and weight limits of the vessel transporting the facility . as will be appreciated by one of skill in this art , the size of the facility will greatly depend on the size of the vessel transporting the facility or its component ( s ). larger ships and barges can transport a much larger ethanol production facilities than smaller boats . when the facility or its component ( s ) are transported by water , the facility may be assembled on a barge , dock , wharf , platform , derek , rig , sand bar , and island . in certain embodiments , the facility or a component thereof fits into a standard container used for shipping by water . in certain embodiments , the facility is assembled on a flotation device . various components of the facility may be brought to the site for the facility by land or air as well as by water . facilities on the water or close to the water facilitate the use of aquatic biomass such as plankton , algae , and aquatic plants in the production of the desired product . similarly , when the facility is transported by air , the facility or its component ( s ) are optionally within the allowed limits of the aircraft transporting the facility . these limits include length , width , height , and weight limits of the aircraft transporting the facility . in certain embodiments , the aircraft is an airplane . the airplane may be a propeller driven plane , a jet , a cargo plane , a military plane , and a commercial airliner . in certain embodiments , the aircraft is a helicopter . in certain embodiments , the aircraft will transport the facility or the component ( s ) hanging from the aircraft . in certain embodiments , the facility or a component thereof fits into a standard container used for shipping by air . the facility or component may land with the aircraft and be unloaded from the aircraft for use or the facility or component may be used while on board the aircraft . in certain embodiments , the facility or component is dropped from the air to the site where it is to be used . in certain embodiments , the facility or component includes parachutes or other landing device for a safe landing of the facility . the facility may also include a floatation device for a water landing . in certain embodiments , the facility or a component thereof includes a means for absorbing the impact of the landing . in certain embodiments , the facility or components is later moved by land , air , or water to a new site . in other embodiments , the facility or components are not moved and may be abandoned temporarily or permanently . various other components of an facility may be transported by land or water as well as air . the components may be assembled into an operational facility at an airport , landing strip , drop site , or any other land or water site . in certain embodiments , the facilities or any of its components are capable of being transported by any combination of air , land , and / or water transport . in certain embodiments , the facility or its components are transported by all three . in other embodiments , the facility or its components are transported by land and water . in certain embodiment , the facility or its components are transported by land and air . in other embodiments , the facility or its components are transported by air and water . in these cases , the vehicle transporting the facility or any of its components preferably meets the requirements ( e . g ., length , width , height , and weight ) of the mode of transportation being used . given that the ethanol , hydrocarbons , natural gas , or gasoline being produced are flammable , any applicable safety laws , rules , or regulations are preferably followed regarding the transport and production of a flammable liquids or gases . in certain embodiments , equipment for handling spills , fires , and explosions is incorporated into the facility . in certain embodiments , the facilities include at least one portable component used in the production of energy ( e . g ., ethanol , hydrocarbons , gasoline , natural gas , methane , biodiesel , and hydrogen gas ), electricity , plastics , polymers , nutrients ( human and animal ), proteins , biomolecules , pharmaceuticals ( human and veterinary ; e . g ., drugs and medicines ), fertilizer , or other products from biomass . the assembled facility as well as any components of the facility are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure . a component - based facility allows for easy assembly of the facility , interchangeability , scalability , and pre - fabrication of the components . breaking the facility into various components also facilitates the mobility aspect of the facility . in certain embodiments , the facility is divided into two , three , four , five , six , seven , eight , nine , ten , or more components . each components may include one or more pieces of equipment with the necessary wiring , piping , drains , control systems , heating and cooling means , stands , coupling devices , and outlets . in certain embodiments , the component include walls , roof , flooring , or other infrastructure for the component itself , other components , or the entire facility . in certain embodiments , the component includes a contained for easy transport of the component . the container may be used in the production process ( e . g ., as a mixing container or other vat ). the sides , bottom , or top of the container may be used as the walls , floor , or roof of the shelter housing the facility or components thereof . in certain embodiments , each step of the production process is performed in a separate component . that is , all the equipment for a step in the process is included in the component . the various steps and equipment useful in the production of bioethanol from biomass are described herein . in other embodiments , a step may require equipment from one or more components . in other embodiments , more than one step of the production process is included in a component . one or more components of the facility are assembled to produce an operable facility . the components are typically assembled at a site prepared for the installation . however , in certain embodiments , there is no preparation or infrastructure at the site . instead , the facility or components are self - supporting . in certain embodiments , the components are assembled using a crane , fork lift , truck , or other moving device , which is optionally included in the system . in other embodiments , the components are assembled using only human labor . tools may be used in the assembly of the facility . the site may include all the necessary infrastructure to make the facility operational . infrastructure may include walls , roof , foundation , floor , electricity , wiring , piping , sewer , water , and natural gas . in certain embodiments , the infrastructure is not mobile and is stationary . when the facility or any of its components are moved , the infrastructure may left behind to potentially be used again the future . in certain embodiments , the infrastructure is used to assemble an production facility every month , every season , every year , or any time sufficient biomass is available at the site to supply the facility . ethanol production facilities that are smaller in scale than traditional ethanol production facilities . typically , ethanol production facilities produce greater than 10 - 20 million gallons of ethanol per year with some facilities exceeding 50 million gallons of ethanol per year . the facilities produce less than 5 million gallons of ethanol or other energy source per year . in certain embodiments , the facility produces less than 1 million gallons of ethanol or other energy source per year . in certain embodiments , the facility produces less than 0 . 5 million gallons of ethanol or other energy source per year . in certain embodiments , the facility produces less than 0 . 1 million gallons of ethanol or other energy source per year . in certain embodiments , the facility produces less than 0 . 01 million gallons of ethanol or other energy source per year . in certain embodiments , the facility produces less than 0 . 001 million gallons of ethanol or other energy source per year . these facilities may be mobile or include mobile components as described herein . in certain embodiments , the facility is stationary . the amount of energy produced by a facility is sufficient to meet the demands of a factory , military base , small town , rural village , county , farm , and island . the small size of the facility allows for numerous facilities to be placed in a geographic region . for example , a facility may be placed in any areas where there is sufficient biomass ( e . g ., crops , waste ) to supply the facility with . smaller - scale facilities closer to the biomass being processed by the system reduce transportation costs , and in certain cases , may allow ethanol to be produced economically where it could not be produced economically by large - scale facilities . the bioethanol production facilities can have all or some of the equipment necessary for producing the desired product from biomass . the biomass used by the systems include any type of biomass . in certain embodiments , more conventional sources of biomass such as corn , sugar beets , grains , sugar cane , or whey is used as the starting material . in other embodiments , less conventional sources of biomass are used including agricultural waste , algae , waste , and human waste . in certain embodiments , the systems do not use corn , sugar beets , or sugarcane . in certain embodiments , the systems do use corn . in other embodiments , the system uses sugar beets or sugarcane . in certain embodiments , the system is designed to use a variety of different types of biomass as starting material . in other embodiments , the system is designed to use one type of biomass . in certain embodiments , various components may be switched interchanged to allow for different types of biomass as starting materials . in certain embodiments , the systems includes processes and apparatuses for pre - processing the biomass . in certain embodiments , the biomass is sorted . in other embodiments , the biomass is cleaned . in other embodiments , the biomass is packaged . in certain embodiments , the biomass is compacted or compressed . in other embodiments , the biomass is liquefied . in other embodiments , the biomass is dehydrated . the pre - processing of the biomass may take place at the site of harvesting the biomass , before transportation of the biomass , during the transportation , during storage of the biomass , or at the site of the energy production . any equipment and methods used to pre - process biomass for energy production may be used . in certain embodiments , the pre - processing means is considered to be part of the system . the process of producing energy ( e . g ., ethanol , hydrocarbons , gasoline , natural gas , methane , biodiesel , and hydrogen gas ), electricity , plastics , polymers , nutrients ( human and animal ), proteins , biomolecules , pharmaceuticals ( human and veterinary ; e . g ., drugs and medicines ), fertilizer , or other products from biomass can be broken down into several steps . the first involves grinding the biomass into a fine powder , chopping the biomass , shearing the biomass , or otherwise making the complex carbohydrates or other biomolecules in the biomass available for further processing . in certain embodiments , the resulting biomass is then mixed with water and optionally microorganisms ( e . g ., bacteria ), algae , enzymes , acid , base , or chemical reagent . the mixture is then optionally heated in a cooker or other apparatus to facilitate the break - down of complex sugars ( e . g ., cellulose , starch ) into fermentable , simpler sugars ( e . g ., glucose ). this step may also facilitate the breakdown of other biomolecules or cellular structures such as lipids , protein , nucleic acids , steroids , natural products , cell wall , cell membrane , and intracellular membranes . the resulting mixture , commonly known as the mash , is then fermented with the addition of a microorganism such as yeast . in certain embodiments , other genetically engineered microorganisms are used in the fermentation process . the microorganisms may be particularly suitable for fermenting or converting the biomass used in the process into the desired product . the fermentation / conversion process is continued until most of the sugars or other starting materials in the fermentation have been converted to ethanol or other desired product . in certain embodiments , co - products such as carbon dioxide , proteins , polymers , nutrients , fertilizers , or biomolecules are produced during the process . these may be collected , purified , packaged , and / or sold . the ethanol or other desired product is then optionally separated from the liquid , solid waste , and side products . this is typically done by distillation ; however , other means of separating or purifying can also be used ( e . g . column chromatography , extraction , chromatography , and crystallization ). the distilled ethanol or other liquid energy source may still contain water so the desired product is optionally dehydrated . in certain embodiments , the desired product ( e . g ., ethanol ) is dehydrated by running it over a substance that absorbs the remaining water such as molecular sieves . once the desired product ( e . g ., ethanol ) is purified to the desired degree of purity and water is removed , the desired product , particularly ethanol , is optionally denatured making it unfit for human consumption . the denaturation process is performed by missing the purified ethanol with 1 - 5 % of gasoline or other organic solvent ( e . g ., methanol , acetone , isopropanol , and hexanes ). any waste can be discarded . in certain embodiments , the resulting distillers grain is used as livestock feed or as a fertilizer . carbon dioxide also is produced as a by - product in the fermentation process . the carbon dioxide may be collected and sold . other products such as polymers , protein , lipids , or other biomolecules are side products may be collected , packaged , and / or sold . in certain embodiments , for example , when bioethanol is being produced from biomass , the facility or a component thereof includes a fermenter and distillation apparatus . in other embodiments , the production facility or component thereof also includes a cooker . the facility may also include a mill for grinding the biomass into smaller particles . the facility may also contain equipment such as columns for further purifying and dehydrating the ethanol after distillation . in certain embodiments , the facility also includes containers and mixing equipment for denaturing the produced ethanol . in certain embodiments , the various equipment is interconnected using piping to easily transfer the product from one step into equipment for performing the next step . as needed , the various equipment used in the process is fitted with heating and cooling means . the process begins with biomass . the biomass used by the system may be any biomass suitable for producing ethanol or any other desired product . in certain embodiments , the biomass is high starch or high sugar agricultural crops such as corn , sugar cane , sugar and beets . the facilities are particularly useful and economical in converting crops to bioethanol because they can arrive or be assembled at the site when the crops ( or other biomass ) are ready for processing and then leave or be disassembled when the crops ( or other biomass ) have been processed . in certain embodiments , the biomass includes materials that contain cellulose , hemicellulose , lignin , protein , starch , and / or sugar . in certain embodiments , the biomass include plant matter such as trees , shrubs , grasses , weeds , agricultural crops , and agricultural waste . in certain embodiments , the biomass includes aquatic biomass , for example plankton , aquatic plants , and algae . aquatic biomass is particularly suitable for being processed by the production facilities that are transported on water . in certain embodiments , the biomass is municipal waste , waste paper , and yard waste . a production facility may routinely travel to a particular area to convert its waste to ethanol or another desired product , or the facility may be assembled at a particular site . in other embodiments , the biomass is human waste . the initial phases of sizing , milling , chopping , cutting , shearing , washing , liquefication , and / or saccharification of the biomass are performed by the facility or components thereof in some embodiments . in other embodiments , these steps or some of these steps are not performed by the facility or components thereof . in certain embodiments , the biomass is mechanically broken down . for example , in certain embodiments , the sizing , milling , chopping , cutting , shearing , washing , or other pre - processing of the biomass for fermentation or conversion is not performed by the facility or components thereof , and the resulting processed biomass ( also known as the meal ) is the starting material used by the facility or a component thereof . in certain embodiments , the facility or a component thereof processes the biomass to allow for microoganisms or chemical to act on the carbohydrates in the biomass . this may include breaking down cell membranes , breaking down cells walls , increasing the surface area , breaking down macrostructures in the biomass . in certain embodiments , the biomass or cellulose in the biomass is texturized or opened up as described in u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 952 , 105 ; 5 , 973 , 035 ; 6 , 207 , 729 ; 6 , 258 , 876 ; 6 , 448 , 307 ; 7 , 074 , 918 ; each of which is incorporated herein by reference ; and published u . s . patent applications 20050084671 ; 20050090577 ; 20050200050 ; each of which is incorporated herein by reference . this process opens up the fibers in the biomass for further processing by chemicals and microoganisms added to the processed biomass in subsequent steps . the process increases the surface area where microorganisms or chemicals can work . referring to fig2 , a rotary knife cutter 20 includes a hopper 22 that can be loaded with a shredded fiber source 10 ′ prepared by shredding fiber source 10 . shredded fiber source 10 ′ is sheared between stationary blades 24 and rotating blades 26 to provide a first fibrous material 12 . first fibrous material 12 passes through screen 16 , and the resulting second fibrous material 4 is captured in bin 30 . to aid in the collection of the second fibrous material 4 , bin 30 can have a pressure below nominal atmospheric pressure , e . g ., at least 10 percent below nominal atmospheric pressure , e . g ., at least 25 percent below nominal atmospheric pressure , at least 50 percent below nominal atmospheric pressure , or at least 75 percent below nominal atmospheric pressure . in some embodiments , a vacuum source 50 is utilized to maintain the bin below nominal atmospheric pressure . in certain embodiments , the biomass is mixed with water and optionally enzymes , microorganisms ( e . g ., bacteria , fungi , yeast ), algae , other organisms , chemical reagents , or a combination thereof . this step breaks down the cellular structures , sugars , and biomolecules of the biomass before its conversion into the desired product . in certain embodiments , the biomass is mixed with a microorganism that aids in the breakdown of the biomass . the microorganism may be genetically engineered . in certain embodiments , the biomass is mixed with an algae that aids in the breakdown of the biomass . the resulting mixture may be heated , cooled , and mixed , to effect the desired changes to the biomass . in certain embodiments , the biomass is substantially liquefied resulting in a mash before it is transferred to the facility or a component thereof . in still other embodiments , the complex sugars in the mash are broken down into simpler , fermentable sugars , and the resulting mash is transferred to the facility or a component thereof for processing . once the biomass or a processed form of the biomass ( e . g ., the meal , the mash , opened and fiber ) enters the facility or component thereof , it is further processed to form ethanol or any other desired product . in certain embodiments , the facility or a component pre - processes , liquefies , and converts the complex sugars in the mash to simpler sugars . in other embodiments the facility or a component thereof liquefies and converts the complex sugars to simpler sugars for distillation . in still other embodiments , the complex sugar in the mash are converted to simpler sugars in the facility or a component thereof . this conversion process is effected by enzymes such as amylase or cellulase , acid ( e . g ., sulfuric acid ), microorganisms , and / or heat . the conversion process breaks down complex sugars such as cellulose and starch to simpler 5 - or 6 - carbon sugars such as glucose . once the mash with the broken down sugars is obtained either through processing inside or outside the facility , the fermentation / conversion process is begun . in certain embodiments , the mash is fermented to produce ethanol . the fermentation process is typically begun by bringing the mash to a particular temperature , for example , between 30 and 45 ° c . in certain embodiments , the fermentation takes place at approximately 30 ° c . in certain embodiments , the ph of the mash is adjusted to approximately ph 6 - 8 , preferably approximately ph 7 - 7 . 5 . in certain embodiments , the fermentation is carried out in an oxygen - depleted atmosphere . a fermenting microorganism is then added to the mash . in certain embodiments , the fermenting microorganism is yeast . in other embodiments , the fermenting microorganism is saccharomyces cerevisiae . in certain embodiments , the fermenting organism is schizosaccharomyces pombe . in other embodiments , the microorganism is zymomonas mobilis . in other embodiments , the microorganism is escherichia coli . in certain embodiments , the microorganism is a genetically engineered organism . examples of genetically engineered fermenting organisms useful in the production of bioethanol are described in u . s . pat . nos . 6 , 699 , 696 ; 6 , 306 , 639 ; 5 , 162 , 516 ; 5 , 028 , 539 ; 5 , 000 , 000 ; 4 , 400 , 470 ; each of which is incorporated herein by reference . in certain embodiments , the fermentation mixture is kept at a constant temperature and ph during the fermentation process . the fermentation typically last from 24 hours to 500 hours . in certain embodiments , the fermentation lasts from 50 - 200 hours . in certain other embodiments , the fermentation last from 100 - 200 hours . as would be appreciated by one of skill in this art , the biomass , microorganism , temperature , and other conditions used in the fermentation will determine the length of time needed to convert the biomass to ethanol . in other embodiments , the processed biomass or mash is converted into another energy source besides ethanol ( e . g ., gasoline , hydrocarbons , hydrogen gas , natural gas , biodiesel , and electricity ) or another desired product or co - product . this conversion is effected by microorganisms . in certain embodiments , the microorganisms are genetically engineered . in certain particular embodiments , the microorganisms are genetically engineered to produced the desired product . for example , in certain embodiments , the microorganisms are designed to produce natural gas or hydrogen gas from biomass . in other embodiments , the microorganisms are designed to produce gasoline or hydrocarbons from biomass . in other embodiments , the processed biomass or mash is converted into other desired products such as plastics , polymers , and nutrients . this conversion is effected by microorganisms . in certain embodiments , the microorganisms are genetically engineered . in certain particular embodiments , the microorganisms are genetically engineered to produced the desired polymer . in certain embodiments , the microorganisms are designed to produce nutrients . in certain embodiments , the desired product is removed as it is produced . in other embodiments , the desired product is purified from the fermentation / conversion after the fermentation / conversion is stopped . in the production of bioethanol , after the fermentation step is complete , the fermented mash ( also known as beer ) contains anywhere from 5 % to 20 % ethanol . in some embodiments , the ethanol is removed as it is produced . the ethanol is purified from the water , and solids by distillation . the distillation process involves vaporizing the ethanol and then recondensing it into liquid form again . the purity of the ethanol obtained from the distillation can be increased by repeatedly distilling the resulting ethanol until the desired purity is achieved . the ethanol may be further purified by removing any remaining water using a dehydration step . in certain embodiments , the ethanol is passed over a material which absorbs water such as molecular sieves . in certain embodiments , the ethanol is distilled or azeotroped to remove most of the water from the ethanol . similarly , if a different desired product is produced than ethanol , it can similarly be purified from the converted biomass . preferably , as much of the desired product is produced before the conversion process is stopped . in certain embodiments , the desired product is drawn off as it is produced . analogously , the facilities may produce 100 % ethanol or ethanol of any desired state of purity . for example , the facility with its distillation apparatus may produce less than 100 % pure ethanol . in certain embodiments , the ethanol is at least 80 %, at least 90 %, at least 95 %, at least 98 %, or at least 99 % pure . the ethanol , if desired , can then be further purified and / or dehydrated outside the mobile facility . in certain embodiments , the facility produces pure ethanol that is subsequently denatured . an organic solvent such as methanol , isopropanol , hexanes , and gasoline , is added to the purified ethanol to produced denatured ethanol , which is unfit for human consumption . exemplary denaturants include methanol , camphor , aldehydes , amyl alcohol , gasoline , isopropanol , terpineol , benzene , castor oil , acetone , nicotine , acids , kerosene , and diethyl phthalate . in certain embodiments , 1 - 10 % of organic solvent is added to the ethanol . in other embodiments , 1 - 5 % of organic solvent is added . in certain embodiments , 2 - 5 % of gasoline is added to the ethanol to denture it . any of the knowledge in the art of producing of ethanol from biomass may be used in the system for producing ethanol . various aspects of the process of producing ethanol from biomass are described in u . s . pat . nos . 7 , 070 , 967 ; 7 , 037 , 704 ; 7 , 037 , 378 ; 7 , 033 , 781 ; 7 , 026 , 152 ; 7 , 022 , 894 ; 6 , 933 , 404 ; 6 , 927 , 048 ; 6 , 908 , 995 ; 6 , 861 , 248 ; 6 , 849 , 434 ; 6 , 846 , 657 ; 6 , 803 , 218 ; 6 , 755 , 975 ; 6 , 737 , 257 ; 6 , 716 , 631 ; 6 , 703 , 227 ; 6 , 699 , 696 ; 6 , 663 , 780 ; 6 , 660 , 506 ; 6 , 648 , 930 ; 6 , 605 , 376 ; 6 , 596 , 908 ; 6 , 592 , 921 ; 6 , 582 , 944 ; 6 , 555 , 350 ; 6 , 528 , 311 ; 6 , 509 , 180 ; 6 , 468 , 567 ; 6 , 420 , 146 ; 6 , 387 , 554 ; 6 , 379 , 964 ; 6 , 372 , 269 ; 6 , 355 , 456 ; 6 , 352 , 859 ; 6 , 335 , 198 ; 6 , 335 , 177 ; 6 , 333 , 181 ; 6 , 326 , 204 ; 6 , 306 , 639 ; 6 , 287 , 862 ; 6 , 280 , 986 ; 6 , 267 , 309 ; 6 , 251 , 674 ; 6 , 224 , 915 ; 6 , 136 , 577 ; 6 , 130 , 076 ; 6 , 107 , 093 ; 6 , 090 , 595 ; 6 , 054 , 611 ; 6 , 045 , 660 ; 6 , 001 , 568 ; 5 , 981 , 807 ; 5 , 975 , 439 ; 5 , 958 , 698 ; 5 , 932 , 456 ; 5 , 916 , 787 ; 5 , 916 , 780 ; 5 , 892 , 107 ; 5 , 882 , 905 ; 5 , 869 , 301 ; 5 , 840 , 971 ; 5 , 821 , 093 ; 5 , 789 , 210 ; 5 , 779 , 164 ; 5 , 756 , 862 ; 5 , 735 , 916 ; 5 , 705 , 369 ; 5 , 677 , 154 ; 5 , 616 , 478 ; 5 , 609 , 723 ; 5 , 578 , 472 ; 5 , 571 , 703 ; 5 , 559 , 031 ; 5 , 554 , 520 ; 5 , 545 , 543 ; 5 , 504 , 259 ; 5 , 503 , 996 ; 5 , 488 , 185 ; 5 , 487 , 989 ; 5 , 482 , 846 ; 5 , 474 , 924 ; 5 , 470 , 433 ; 5 , 424 , 417 ; 5 , 424 , 202 ; 5 , 407 , 817 ; 5 , 397 , 436 ; 5 , 372 , 939 ; 5 , 345 , 477 ; 5 , 258 , 293 ; 5 , 231 , 017 ; 5 , 223 , 567 ; 5 , 186 , 722 ; 5 , 182 , 199 ; 5 , 135 , 861 ; 5 , 134 , 944 ; 5 , 106 , 634 ; 5 , 100 , 791 ; 5 , 086 , 144 ; 5 , 081 , 285 ; 5 , 071 , 675 ; 5 , 063 , 156 ; 5 , 061 , 497 ; 5 , 047 , 332 ; 5 , 028 , 539 ; 5 , 013 , 436 ; 5 , 000 , 000 ; 4 , 985 , 355 ; 4 , 952 , 504 ; 4 , 952 , 503 ; 4 , 933 , 198 ; 4 , 886 , 751 ; 4 , 885 , 241 ; 4 , 859 , 758 ; 4 , 840 , 903 ; 4 , 840 , 902 ; 4 , 830 , 964 ; 4 , 816 , 407 ; 4 , 816 , 399 ; 4 , 812 , 410 ; 4 , 808 , 527 ; 4 , 808 , 526 ; 4 , 790 , 238 ; 4 , 778 , 688 ; 4 , 769 , 324 ; 4 , 746 , 615 ; 4 , 746 , 610 ; 4 , 731 , 329 ; 4 , 661 , 643 ; 4 , 650 , 689 ; 4 , 647 , 534 ; 4 , 628 , 031 ; 4 , 612 , 286 ; 4 , 604 , 352 ; 4 , 567 , 145 ; 4 , 560 , 659 ; 4 , 556 , 744 ; 4 , 541 , 897 ; 4 , 523 , 928 ; 4 , 522 , 920 ; 4 , 517 , 298 ; 4 , 510 , 242 ; 4 , 507 , 505 ; 4 , 490 , 469 ; 4 , 490 , 468 ; 4 , 480 , 090 ; 4 , 454 , 358 ; 4 , 451 , 597 ; 4 , 447 , 534 ; 4 , 443 , 637 ; 4 , 443 , 544 ; 4 , 443 , 543 ; 4 , 442 , 210 ; 4 , 421 , 939 ; 4 , 413 , 058 ; 4 , 409 , 405 ; 4 , 405 , 815 ; 4 , 403 , 034 ; 4 , 400 , 551 ; 4 , 400 , 470 ; 4 , 400 , 469 ; 4 , 395 , 488 ; 4 , 393 , 136 ; 4 , 386 , 009 ; 4 , 372 , 822 ; 4 , 358 , 536 ; 4 , 357 , 480 ; 4 , 356 , 262 ; 4 , 355 , 192 ; 4 , 355 , 108 ; 4 , 346 , 113 ; 4 , 335 , 207 ; 4 , 333 , 852 ; 4 , 328 , 375 ; 4 , 326 , 036 ; 4 , 321 , 141 ; 4 , 317 , 884 ; 4 , 302 , 357 ; 4 , 301 , 312 ; 4 , 301 , 253 ; 4 , 287 , 303 ; 4 , 273 , 621 ; 4 , 262 , 154 ; 4 , 255 , 300 ; 4 , 253 , 987 ; 4 , 233 , 466 ; 4 , 220 , 803 ; 4 , 168 , 391 ; 4 , 164 , 445 ; 4 , 139 , 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20030153059 ; 20030148309 ; 20030143704 ; 20030119006 ; 20030115792 ; 20030114330 ; 20030113735 ; 20030113734 ; 20030113732 ; 20030100807 ; 20030094416 ; 20030087381 ; 20030077771 ; 20030072822 ; 20030068415 ; 20030054535 ; 20030054500 ; 20030049867 ; 20030046724 ; 20030044499 ; 20030044495 ; 20030041982 ; 20030019736 ; 20030018063 ; 20030008363 ; 20030008362 ; 20030006191 ; 20021097686 ; 20020197688 ; 20020193617 ; 20020192774 ; 20020188965 ; 20020188459 ; 20020164731 ; 20020164730 ; 20020160469 ; 20020159990 ; 20020155583 ; 20020153317 ; 20020142410 ; 20020132350 ; 20020104518 ; 20020094575 ; 20020091165 ; 20020081677 ; 20020069987 ; 20020062594 ; 20020061561 ; 20020055135 ; 20020042111 ; 20020037564 ; 20020034816 ; 20020026744 ; 20020023278 ; 20020015871 ; 20010024796 ; 20010023034 ; 20010006795 ; each of which is incorporated herein by reference . a number of embodiments of the invention have been described . nevertheless , it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . accordingly , other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims .