The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 18, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 30, 2009
Michael Brady, Studio City, CA (US);
Robert Bartek, Centennial, CO (US);
Dennis Stamires, Dana Point, CA (US);
Paul O'connor, Hoevelaken, NL;
Michael Brady, Studio City, CA (US);
Robert Bartek, Centennial, CO (US);
Dennis Stamires, Dana Point, CA (US);
Paul O'Connor, Hoevelaken, NL;
KiOR, Inc., Pasadena, TX (US);
Abstract
A method for reducing the mechanical strength of solid biomass material, in particular lignocellulosic biomass, comprises mixing the solid biomass material with an inorganic material and heating the solid biomass material mixture to a toasting temperature in the range of 105° C. to 140° C. during an exposure time of from 1 minute to 12 hours. Before or after the heat treatment, which is referred to as 'toasting', the biomass material mixture is subject to flash heating. The treatment significantly reduces the mechanical energy required for reducing the particle size of the solid biomass material and is suitable as a pretreatment prior to a conversion reaction of the solid biomass material.