Abstract: A process for optimizing values of profit or gross margin based on process parameters used to process fuel having a desired fuel property is described. The process includes: (i) receiving a predetermined value of a first property of a fuel derived from biomass; (ii) retrieving a first different sets of values of one or more process parameters associated with a process that converts biomass to fuel, and the first different sets of values of the one or more process parameters are based on the predetermined value of the first fuel property; (iii) generating estimated values for cost or revenue associated with the first different sets of values of the one or more process parameters; and (iv) identifying, from the first different sets of values, a first set of values of one or more process parameters that approaches an optimum profit or gross margin for the process.

Abstract: Inventive systems and methods for management of fuel production from diverse type of biomass are described. The systems and methods of the present invention are capable of satisfying demands for fuel having a desired fuel property (e.g., a desired value of higher heating value on a dry basis). These systems and methods rely on strong correlations between various fuel properties in a dry, ash-free regime developed by the present invention. These correlations are surprising and unexpected because these fuel properties do not correlate in a dry regime, where fuel properties are typically specified.

Abstract: Inventive systems and methods for satisfying demands of fuel having desired properties (e.g., a desired value of higher heating value on a dry basis) are described. The systems and methods of the present invention ensure production of fuel having desired properties by correlating fuel properties with certain process parameters. These parameters are relevant to the process of producing fuel from biomass. Processing regimes for certain values of parameters that provide increased throughput of fuel production are identified.

Abstract: A composition of biomass material is disclosed. The composition includes: (i) a lignocellulosic material; and (ii) at least one member selected from a group consisting of potassium, sodium and chlorides, wherein said at least one member comprising not more than about 0.01% (by weight) of said composition. The composition may not include more than 10% of water.

Abstract: A composition of biomass material is disclosed. The composition includes: (i) a lignocellulosic material; and (ii) at least one member selected from a group consisting of potassium, sodium and chlorides, wherein said at least one member comprising not more than about 0.01% (by weight) of said composition. The composition may not include more than 10% of water.

Abstract: A method for washing biomass is described. The method includes: (i) receiving a first discrete amount of biomass; (ii) receiving a second discrete amount of biomass; (iii) washing the first discrete amount of biomass with solvent to produce a first effluent stream enriched with inorganic material; and (iv) washing the second discrete amount of biomass with the first effluent stream to produce a second effluent solvent stream.

Abstract: A system for producing combustible biomaterial is described. The system includes: (i) a lignocellulose rupturing device for rupturing lignocellulose in biomass to produce a ruptured biomass material, the ruptured biomass material having an inorganic material; (ii) a washing subassembly designed to wash the ruptured biomass material having said inorganic material with a solvent and produce an inorganic-material-enriched solvent and an inorganic-material-depleted ruptured biomass; and (iii) a pyrolyzing subassembly for pyrolyzing the inorganic-material-depleted ruptured biomass to produce a combustible biomaterial.

Abstract: A method for making a combustible material is described. The method includes: (i) receiving one or more types of biomass, each of which includes an inorganic material; (ii) rupturing lignocellulose in one or more types of the biomass to produce ruptured biomass including the inorganic material; (iii) washing the ruptured biomass with solvent to drive the inorganic material from the ruptured biomass into the solvent to produce an inorganic-material-enriched solvent and an inorganic-material-depleted ruptured biomass; (iv) pyrolyzing the inorganic-material-depleted ruptured biomass to produce a combustible biomaterial.