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, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol.

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, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol.

The present invention relates to a granular form of mixed saccharide composition comprising a mixed saccharide containing psicose as a main ingredient and a method for preparing the same, and more particularly to a granule of a mixed saccharide containing psicose with improved sweetness quality and physical properties and a method for preparing the same.

The present invention relates to a granular form of mixed saccharide composition comprising a mixed saccharide containing psicose as a main ingredient and a method for preparing the same, and more particularly to a granule of a mixed saccharide containing psicose with improved sweetness quality and physical properties and a method for preparing the same.

The invention relates to the hydrolytic breakdown of plant biomasses via hydrohalic acids, preferably so-called hydrochloric acid. Ligneous biomasses were preferably hydrolyzed in the past because other types of biomasses, for instance straw, are only able to be filled into the reactors with a very low density and they tend towards compacting in the course of the process. The invention solves this problem with two modifications. First of all, pelletizable biomasses are completely or partially loaded in the form of pellets and a heavily increasing filling density is achieved because of that. Secondly, the hydrolysis reactors are tilted, preferably arranged between 30 and 60, and compacting is prevented. The economic effectiveness of both modifications is to be determined in practical tests for every pelletizable biomass. It is possible that one of the two modifications can be omitted.

The invention relates to the hydrolytic breakdown of plant biomasses via hydrohalic acids, preferably so-called hydrochloric acid. Ligneous biomasses were preferably hydrolyzed in the past because other types of biomasses, for instance straw, are only able to be filled into the reactors with a very low density and they tend towards compacting in the course of the process. The invention solves this problem with two modifications. First of all, pelletizable biomasses are completely or partially loaded in the form of pellets and a heavily increasing filling density is achieved because of that. Secondly, the hydrolysis reactors are tilted, preferably arranged between 30 and 60, and compacting is prevented. The economic effectiveness of both modifications is to be determined in practical tests for every pelletizable biomass. It is possible that one of the two modifications can be omitted.

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, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol.

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, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol.

The present disclosure includes a centrifuge system for processing a massecuite composition. The centrifuge system may include a centrifuge having a vertical spindle, a housing, and a basket disposed within the housing. The basket may include a central hub coupled to the vertical spindle for rotation therewith, a cup coupled to the central hub or an end of the vertical spindle, and a loading cone positioned over the cup and coupled to the cup by a plurality of vanes extending outward from the cup to the loading cone. The loading cone may have a wide end open towards a bottom of the basket, and the plurality of vanes may be radially spaced apart. The centrifuge system may further include a feed pipe vertically disposed above the cup and having a feed outlet oriented towards the cup. The cup defining a cavity oriented in a direction away from the central hub.

The present disclosure includes a centrifuge system for processing a massecuite composition. The centrifuge system may include a centrifuge having a vertical spindle, a housing, and a basket disposed within the housing. The basket may include a central hub coupled to the vertical spindle for rotation therewith, a cup coupled to the central hub or an end of the vertical spindle, and a loading cone positioned over the cup and coupled to the cup by a plurality of vanes extending outward from the cup to the loading cone. The loading cone may have a wide end open towards a bottom of the basket, and the plurality of vanes may be radially spaced apart. The centrifuge system may further include a feed pipe vertically disposed above the cup and having a feed outlet oriented towards the cup. The cup defining a cavity oriented in a direction away from the central hub.