US 11,702,711 B2
Controlled pH biomass treatment
Robert Bartek, Centennial, CO (US); and Bahman Rejai, Centennial, CO (US)
Assigned to LUSBIO, INC., San Diego, CA (US)
Appl. No. 17/48,512
Filed by LUSBIO, INC., San Diego, CA (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 15, 2019, PCT No. PCT/US2019/027447
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 16, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/204190, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 24, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/660,283, filed on Apr. 20, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0155995 A1, May 27, 2021
Int. Cl. B01J 23/745 (2006.01); C12P 19/02 (2006.01); C12P 39/00 (2006.01); C13K 1/02 (2006.01); C13K 13/00 (2006.01)
CPC C13K 1/02 (2013.01) [B01J 23/745 (2013.01); C12P 19/02 (2013.01); C12P 39/00 (2013.01); C13K 13/00 (2013.01); C12P 2201/00 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for treating biomass, said method comprising steps of:
(a) obtaining a mixture of the biomass, wherein the biomass comprises lignocellulosic polymers and water, wherein the water consists of inherent moisture;
(b) treating, at a temperature in a range of from 160° C. to 200° C. for a period of from 5 seconds to 30 minutes, the mixture with at least one oxidizing agent and steam;
(c) periodically measuring a pH of the mixture for a duration of treating step (b); and
(d) maintaining the pH of the mixture in a range of from pH 4.5 to pH 7.0 for the duration of treating step (b) by adding a base to the mixture; and
wherein no mineral base is added to the biomass.