Abstract: The processes disclosed herein include saccharifying cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic biomass and fermenting the sugars to produce a sugar alcohol.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, especially, xylose, which can then be chemically converted to furfural and furfural-derived products.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce a product or intermediate, e.g., energy, a food, a fuel, or a material.

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, novel systems, methods and equipment for conveying and/or cooling treated biomass are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for processing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials and useful intermediates and products, such as energy and fuels. For example, irradiating methods and systems are described to aid in the processing of the cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials. The electron beam accelerator has multiple windows foils and these foils are cooled with cooling gas. In one configuration a secondary foil is integral to the electron beam accelerator and in another configuration the secondary foil is part of the enclosure for the biomass conveying system.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of increasing the efficiency of biomass saccharification. In particular, the methods include ways of avoiding feedback inhibition of enzymatic reactions during the production of useful products. The methods also include saccharifying recalcitrance-reduced lignocellulosic biomass and adding an isomerization agent to the saccharified biomass. The saccharified biomass can be further converted into products by a microorganism.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for processing cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials into useful intermediates and products, such as energy and fuels. For example, conveying systems and methods, such as highly efficient vibratory conveyors, are described for the processing of the cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as hydroxy-carboxylic acids and hydroxy-carboxylic acid derivatives. A method includes treating a reduced recalcitrance lignocellulosic or cellulosic material with one or more enzymes and/or organisms (such as lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Rhizopus, Enterococcus) to produce an alpha, beta, gamma and/or delta hydroxycarboxylic acid (such as lactic acid, glycolic acid); and converting the alpha, beta, gamma and/or delta hydroxy-carboxylic acid to the product (such as esters, polymers, and copolymers).

Abstract: Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, especially, xylose, which can then be chemically converted to furfural and furfural-derived products.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as aliphatic hydroxy-carboxylic acid and hydroxyl-carboxylic acid derivatives. These aliphatic hydroxy-carboxylic acids are, in turn, polymerized. The polymerization is carried out using a thin film evaporator or a thin film polymerization/devolatilization device. Conversion of lactic acid to poly lactic acid is an especially useful product to this process.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or other materials are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the walls and optionally the ceiling include discrete units. Such vaults are re-configurable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures comprising a polypeptide or a plurality of polypeptides having biomass-degrading activity that is solubilized from an inclusion body, and retaining biomass-degrading activity, and methods for producing and using the same. The invention described herein provides methods for increasing the yield of recombinant protein with biomass-degrading activity that can be isolated from host cells.

Abstract: Methods of manufacturing fuels are provided. These methods use often difficult to process lignocellulosic materials, for example crop residues and grasses. The methods can be readily practiced on a commercial scale in an economically viable manner, in some cases using as feedstocks materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste.

Abstract: A system for delivering air to an aqueous liquid for aerobic fermentation of the aqueous liquid includes a vessel having a length to diameter ratio of less than 2:1, an aeration system including at least one sparge tube having a pore size of less than 5 microns and a porosity of greater than 50 percent in fluid communication with an interior of the vessel, at least one blower configured to deliver air at a pressure of less than 15 psig to the at least one sparge tube, and a heat exchanger in fluid communication between the at least one blower and the at least one sparge tube that cools the air to below 100° F. (37.8° C.) prior to entering the at least one sparge tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and improving the treatment of biomass are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures comprising a polypeptide or a plurality of polypeptides having biomass-degrading activity that is solubilized from an inclusion body, and retaining biomass-degrading activity, and methods for producing and using the same. The invention described herein provides methods for increasing the yield of recombinant protein with biomass-degrading activity that can be isolated from host cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for processing biomass materials that are disposed in one or more structures or carriers, e.g., a bag, a shell, a net, a membrane, a mesh or any combination of these. Containing the material in this manner allows it to be readily added or removed at any point and in any sequence during processing.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, equipment, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which hazardous gases are removed, destroyed and/or converted. The treatments are efficient and can reduce the recalcitrance of the lignocellulosic material so that it is easier to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., sugars, alcohols, sugar alcohols and energy, from the lignocellulosic material.

Abstract: According to various aspects and embodiments, a system and method for aerobic fermentation of an aqueous sugar solution is provided. The system includes a vessel, at least one air diffuser in fluid communication with an interior of the vessel, and at least one blower that is configured to deliver air to the at least one air diffuser.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or other materials are processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the walls and optionally the ceiling include discrete units. Such vaults are re-configurable.