Abstract: High-shear, microcavitation is used to shred and disintegrate fibrous lignocellulose-containing biomass to make the biomass more susceptible to hydrolysis. This process is preferably performed with the biomass particles dispersed in a slurry created using only water. The process can be performed on slurries created with other liquids such as liquid ammonia, aqueous solutions of acid or alkali reagents, or enzyme solutions containing cellulase, cellobiase or a combination thereof. High-shear microcavitation is carried out by subjecting the slurry to high-shear forces by injecting the slurry cross-currently into a turbulent Couette flow created in a high-frequency, rotor-stator device. This microcavitation shatters the fibrous structure of the biomass in the slurry thereby creating a sheared slurry.

Abstract: High-shear, microcavitation is used to shred and disintegrate fibrous lignocellulose-containing biomass to make the biomass more susceptible to hydrolysis. This process is preferably done with the biomass particles dispersed in a slurry created using only water. The process can be performed on slurries created with other liquids such as liquid ammonia, aqueous solutions of acid or alkali reagents, or enzyme solutions containing cellulase. High-shear microcavitation is carried out by subjecting the slurry to high-shear forces by injecting the slurry cross currently into a turbulent Couette flow created in a high-frequency, rotor-stator device. This microcavitation shatters the fibrous structure of the biomass in the slurry thereby creating a sheared slurry. The device has a chamber containing a fixed stator equipped with coaxial toothed rings meshing with opposing coaxial toothed rings coupled to a rotor that is coupled to a rotatable shaft.

Abstract: An improved biomass refining process is disclosed which is considerably more efficient and cost effective than conventional refining processes. The apparatus and method of the present invention employs superheated steam to dry the solid components and uses the excess steam generated in the drying step to concentrate the liquid components, solidify soluble components and expel noncondensible components. The present invention further employs improved Ammonia Freeze Explosion technology to further enhance the food value of biomass and the solid fiber components separated from the biomass during refining.